FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9369, 20 May 1889, Page 10

FIRES.

FIRE ON BOARD THE MARIPOSA. The mail steamer Mariposa, which left this port for San Francisco on the '22nd April, returned at an early hour on the 24th April. On our reporter boarding the steamer, he was informed that a fire had broken out among; the flax portion of her cargo, and Captain Hay ward kindly supplied the following particulars of the occurrence.

On the 23rd of April, at 6.40 a.m., when the Mariposa was about '220 miles from Auckland, the seamen on watch discovered smoke to be issuing from the forehatch. It was at first thought that fire had broken out in the mail "room, and Captain Hayward promptly gave directions for getting the hose to'bear on that portion of the ship. One of the small hatches was lifted and great columns of thick smoke came up. The water was at once brought to bear down the opening, but the heat was so great and the smoke so thick that it was almost impossible for the men to work. Some thirty bales of flax were got out, but in the endeavour to do so the seamen suffered terribly from the smoke, several tainting from partial asphyxia. As soon as it was found where the seat of the tire was, Captain Hayward ordered the vessel to be reduced to half-speed, and the wind being favourable, the steamer's rate was about equal to the wind's velocity, and the draught down the hatch thus reduced to a minimum.

After some little time working with the hose. Captain Hayward, decided that as the burning bales could hardly be got at because of the increasing heat, it would be more efficacious to smother the fire.

Accordingly the hatch was nut on again and battened down closely, and the steam turned on strongly. As it was impossible to form any adequate idea of the extent of the outbreak, and the ship being crowded with passengers, Captain Hay ward considered it prudent to return to Auckland rather than to push on into the tropical latitudes, where the great heat might cause a recurrence of the disaster. He°therefore turned the vessel's head round and steered for Auckland, arriving here at about 3.30 a.m. on the 24fch April. There were about 400 souls on board the steamer all told. Before being battened down the heat was so great that the combings of the hatch charred some of the bales lying against them. Captain Hayward considers that had the fire continued unobserved for another couple of hours, it would have broken into open dame and the safety of the vessel seriously endangered. A German seaman was very brave in volunteering to go down the hatch and endeavour to put out the fire. He was almost suffocated and was a good while in being brought to consciousness. Captain Hayward had the vessel's boats and rafts got ready in case of the fire getting the mastery. Through the time of the greatest danger the seamen and officers behaved with the greatest coolness, and executed the commauds of the captain with commendable promptness. Chief Officer Hart suffered considerably from the effects of the smoke, but only temporarily. It is believed that the fire originated by spontaneous combustion, owing to some of the bal.-.r being damp, either originally or from getting wet when being shipped. It 13 possible, however, that a match may have dropped into a bale when being put on board. The flax had been stored in the sheds on the Auckland wharf for over three weeks.

The passengers all unite in giving the highest praise to Captain Hayward and his officers for their-conduct during the fire. Captain Mclntyre and several of the crew of the wrecked ship Red Cross also rendered assistance.

The passengers behaved well and showed no signs of fear, after the captain's assurance that there was no immediate peril. Captain Wayward is to be congratulated upon the wisdom of his decision in returning, for had he decided to continue his voyage, the greater heat of the equatorial zone would possibly have caused another outbreak of fire.

The flax was portion of a shipment made at Auckland from Southern ports, and consisted of 580 bales—a portion of which was stowed in the after-hatch immediately underneath the steerage. Though this lot showed no signs of fire, the captain decided not to take any of the flax in the vessel, and all was discharged. THE MARIPOSA'S DEPARTURE.

The Mariposa resumed her voyage for San Francisco on the evening of the 24th. As a compliment to Captain B.ayward and his men, Hunter's Artillery Band was engaged by several of the passengers to give the steamer a "send oft." The band played a number of choice selections, and as the warps were loosed struck up " Yankee Doodle," " Auld Lang Syne," and the National Anthem. The crowd also gave vent to their feelings by giving three hearty cheers for the Mariposa and her skipper, to which the passengers ropliod in kind.

THE SHIPPERS, ETC. There were 580 bales of flax on board the Mariposa. Of this cargo, 118 bales were shipped by Arnold, Cheney and Co., on behalf of Sclanders and Co., Nelson, consigned bo H. W. Peabody, Boston, and insured for £450 by the South British Company. The remainder was exported by Johnson and Co., Wellington, and the amount of the insurances on this portion are not known in Auckland. SURVEYS OF TflK FLAX. As a matter of course, soon after tho steamer commenced to unload the flax, experts set to work to find out exactly the condition of the ship and of the cargo, so as to ascertain how much damage had been done to the vessel, and, if possible, how the fire had originated. Captain Worsp, marine surveyor for the Underwriters' Asso-cia-

tion, and Captain Clayton, marine surveyor, made a careful examination of the flax as it was discharged, and wont down into the hold to find out where the fire had originated. They located where the fire began, and we understand they found that the holes had been cut in the deck exactly above the place where the tire was worst. This was an important matter in connection with the extinguishment of the fire. At this place, the deck was chaired, but beyond this no injury whatever had been done to the ship. Captain Clayton and Captain Worsp have yet to consult before sending in their report. It is stated, however, that they found that the outside of the bales had been charred, and no evidence whatever of the lire having originated because overheated flax had from any anise sprung into flame. On the 25th April Mr. Johnson, manager of the Fibre Company, and Mr. Charles Hesketh, examined the, flax in the forehold on behalf of the Union Company, in order, if possible, to throw some light on the origin of the tire on board the Mariposa. That report was furnished on April 26 to the company, but the contents of it have not transpired. It is understood, however, that they did not find any evidence in favour of the theory of spontaneous combustion. Everything indicated that the fire was on the outside of the bales, and not from the centre, as would arise from heating. From other investigations made a much more feasible explanation is given. It is alleged that while the bales were being shipped men were standing about on the wharf smoking in the immediate vicinity, and that a match or tobacco ash dropped accidentally probably did the mischief. Even when the flax was dumped ashore to the sheds to be examined it is alleged that smoking went on, notwithstanding the scare already experienced, and one of the Harbour Board officials had to put a stop to it. Indeed, some of the experts are under the impression that the fire in the flax cargo of the Mariposa was in progress before she left the harbour, and smouldered on from want of air to fan it till ultimately discovered twelve hours afterwards. The bales of flax stowed in the after hold, where there was no outbreak of lire, were found to be in some cases damp, ami the tlax in the centre of the bales warm to the touch. There were marks, it is said, on the bales, indicating both moisture and heat. It is to be hoped that the real facts will be brought out in the investigation now taking place. The shipment of damaged and partially burnt flax, which was discharged from the mail steamer Mariposa, was sold on April '2d at noon on the wharf by Messrs. Tonka and Co. on behalf of whom it might concern. There was a large attendance of buyers, and the bidding was brisk and prices very satisfactory. The first lot, 135 bales, which was the least injured of the lot, was sold for £13 10s per ton to Mr. C. Hesketh, who also bought Lot 2, (38 bales, at .til 5s ; and Lot 3, 141 bales, at £10 ss. Lot 4, of 120 bales, was knocked down to Mr. C. McOili for £S IT'S per ton. All the lots were sold with ''all faults " as they lay on the quay.

A destructive tire broke out in premises of Mr. Wm. Hooker, grocer, Kyber Pass, at two a.m. on April 26, and spread westward to the residence of Mr. LaKoehe, jun., and eastward to an empty shop and the premises of Mr. Alfred Johnston, fruiterer and grocer, corner of Kyber Pass and Seafield View Road. The Grafton contingent, and a detachment of the Auckland Fire Brigade, under Supt. Hughes, and the Salvage Corps, under Capt. Field, were soon on the spot. There being a good pressure of water, only the premises in which the tire originated were totally destroyed, the rest being gutted. A portion of the furniture and stock was however got out. The following are the insurances : — Hooker's premises were owned by Mrs. Byrnes, and insured for £200 in South British ; Hooker's stock, £300 in London and Lancashire. The large shed at the back was not covered by insurance. Mr. LaKoehe was insured : building, £100 in South British; furniture, £100, and piano £50 in same company. The next block contained two shops—one empty, which had been a dairy. The block belonged to Mr. T. B. Smith, who is believed to be insured in the Royal. Mr. Johnston was insured : stock, £40, and piano £30 in the London and Lancashire.

The extensive premises of Fleming and Gilkison, Hour millers, Invercargill, caught fire at twenty minutes past eleven a.m. on April 26. The buildings were part brick and part wood, and the flames started in the upper storey wooden portion. The lire brigade were soon on the spot, and eventually had jets playing on the lire, but the strong wind blowing to some extent neutralised their efforts. The wooden section of the establishment was mostly demolished, but the brick stores and contents were saved. The insurances on the steam flourmill are £500 in the New Zealand (£250 reinsured in the Phoenix), and £500 in the Royal. The grain store was insured for £500 in the New Zealand (re-insured for £250 in the North German) and £500 in the Equitable. The wheat and oats in the store are insured for £1000 in the New Zealand (re-insured for £500 in the North German, and £1000 in the Royal). The damage is estimated at £4000, almost equally divided between the New Zealand anil Royal. The Auckland police authorities have received from Constable Walker, of Otahuhu, the following particulars relative to the fire at Papatoetoe on Friday evening, April 26. It seems that four strawstacks were burned, the property of Messrs. John Wyllie and C. Wooley. The stacks were last year's straw, and contained over 100 tons, valued at present rates at £200. It had been .sold tor export, and a party of men were engaged the previous day cutting and pressing it. The press and tools were also destroyed. There were no insurances. A fire at St. Bathans, Otago, on Thursday, the 2nd of May, destroyed the drapery stores and stable of Mr. W. McConnochie and Thurton's Vulcan Hotel. The fire commenced in McConnochie's premises, and spread to the hotel, from which some furniture was saved. The insurances on McConnochie's building and stock are : New Zealand, £325; Victoria, £250; Northern, £25 ; South British, £200; Guardian, £550 ; Liverpool. London, and Globe, £500; Phumix, £500; North German, £250 : total, £2550. Only a few days ago the Equitable Association declined to renew a line of £300 on the premises on account of the rate. McConnochie had a heavy stock, and it is estimated will lose £4000 over the insurance. The Vulcan Hotel was insured for £600 with the Standard, but the risk was reinsured with the Union and Colonial, each office named holding risks to the amount of £200. A fire occurred at VVaitoa on the 10th May, which resulted in the total destruction of the residence formerly occupied by Mr. J. B. Smith. The house was in the occupation of the wife and family of Mr. C. Cornea, the manager of the Champion mine at Te Aroha.

On May 11, at a quarter to four a.m., the old Waipawa Hotel was burnt down. The origin of the tire is unknown. Builders were at work on the premises up till five o'clock on Friday, and also painters, repairing and adding to the building. The hotel was insured in the .North British Mercantile on a builder's risk of £650. There was not one in the house at the time of the fire. One of the outbuildings was insured for £70, but was saved. At about three a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, a destructive fire occurred atHakaru, whereby a commodious and well-filled barn belonging to Mr. N. J. Sarah, proprietor of the Cornish Arms Hotel, was utterly destroyed The house of Bandmaster Mettam, near Plankton, Hamilton, was burned on the '27th

April while himself and family were at the races. The house belonged to Mrs. Quin. The house was insured, on behalf of the Onehunga Budding Society, for £00 in the Standard. There was no insurance on the furniture.