FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

FIRES.

Shortly before two a.m. on the 14th April, as Acting-Detectives Bailey and McMahon, were examining the back premises of the places of business in Wyndham-street, on the look-out for " the enterprising burglar,' they noticed a light in the back cellarage of Messrs. Kempthorne and Prosser's drug stores. They crept up stealthily in the belief that they were about to effect a capture, but on closer inspection they saw that a fire was in progress in the cellar. The Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Hughes, and the Salvage Corps under Captain Field, goon turned out. Access was got to the rear from Wyndham - street, through Mr. Good acre's premises, and the back door of Kempthorne and Prosser's drug store burst in. A great quantity of water was poured into the cellarage among the goods, but it was a long: time before it seemed to have any effect and the fire was suppressed. There is little doubt that the fire owes its origin to spontaneous combustion among the acids. The insurances on the stock are as follow :—National Insurance Cornpauy, £3500: South British, £2000: Norwich Union, £2000; Alliance, £1000 Victoria Office, £2000; New Zealand Insurance Company, £1000; Phoenix, £1000: total, £12,500. The total damage is not yet known, but it is expected to mount up to £300 or £400. Some of the officers and members of the Fire Brigade and Sa vage Corps who took part in extinguish ing the fire are suffering severely from the effects of tho acid fumes which they inhaled at the time. The general effect is on the lungs, and ib produces very considerable pain and irritation. Superintendent Hughes was affected to such an extent that he was spitting blood, and he still suffers from the effects of the poison. The Railway Hotel, Manchester-street, Christchurch, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday night, April 4. The insurances were : -Building, £1050 in the Commercial Union ; furniture, £200, and stock £100, in the Liverpool, London, and Globe. The building was owned by Messrs. Ward and Co., and occupied by Mr. G. Pearce. On the 25 th March the old Wesley an Maori Church at the top of Constitution Hill was destroyed by fire. The building was one of the oldest in Auckland, and with its destruction has disappeared another link in the history of old Auckland. It was built half a century ago, and has had a chequered career, The Maoris gave, it is stated, the land endowment, the church to bo used for Maori services for their country men visiting Auckland, and especially for those putting up at the hostelry at Waipapa (Mechanics' Bay). When the Taranaki and Waikato campaigns took place the natives abandoned coming to town, and religious services ceased. For over a quarter of a century it has lain cobwebbed and dilapidated, with smashed windows, the result of larrikinism, the picture of desolation, and occasionally giving shelter to the intelligent vagrant. The residence of Colonel Fraser, comprising thirteen rooms, situated at Tararu, Thames, was completely destroyed by fire about four p.m. .on the 27th of March. Tho house and furniture wore insured in the Victoria office, there being a policy of £300 on tho former, and £220 on the latter ; but this will not by any means cover the loss, as a 9onaiderablo quantity of silver plate and other valuable relics have been destroyed. Mr. James Kerr's confectionery works, Sawyer's Bay, Dunedin, were burnt down on March 27. Tho building and plant were insured for £700.

On the 22nd March a very heavy loss was sustained by Messrs. Newman Brothers, merchants, Opunak'e (Taranaki), caused by fire. The bakehouse and several hundred pounds' worth of goods were destroyed. Tne dwelling-house and store of Mr. Frank 0. Thomas, at VVaharoa, Upper Thames, was consumed by fire on the 21st March, The insurance on the building waa £80, furniture £50, and stock £1000, all in the United Insurance Office. Lorain's new hotel in Upper Kuaotunu was destroyed by fire about one o'clock a.in. on Friday, the 30tli of March. The building was a fairly large one and only erected within the last few months. The fire spread with such rapidity that nothing could be saved. The flames epread to Mr. J. A. Thomson's upper store, which was also destroyed. Both properties are fully coverod in the Manchester Fire Office.