A RUSH FOR LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

A RUSH FOR LIFE.

*- Five families at Westminster had to run for their lives'on July 20. Half-clad, excited men and women stood in Page-street with their children huddled round them, while their belongings were being rapidly destroyed. They lived over the offices and storerooms of the .■Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Works, which were ruined by a fire which, broke out in the workshop. Going through the building at half-past ten the watchman found nothing amiss but 'less than an Lour later he found the workshop ablaze. The flames shot in every direction, and rapidly spread through the building. In the rooms above tiie families— persons —were all unconscious of their danger until someone shouted : "Get out for your lives ; the place is on fire." In an instant there was a rush to the staircase. Some of the people were in their nightclothes, and 'some had received the warning while dressing, and without a moment's delay crowded to the landing to get out of the" building. But before all could descend the flames reached the staircase, and this means of escape was cut, off. Ail, however, got safely into the street, one man climbing out oil the parapet and descending through a shop next door. Eight fire-engines we're present, and an escape, was brought up ; but there was no chance of saving the building. All the firemen could do was to prevent the flames spreading. Roughly, the damage is under £10,000. The premises and the contents are insured. Less fortunate are four of the families, for only one will reap the benefit of insurance. All have lost the whole of their furniture, and most of them now possess only the clothes they were wearing when they left the burning rooms. .Mrs. Kb by. the mother of six children, states that" when the alarm Mas given her husband and one. of her sons were asleep in bed. -" I had no time to get any clothes." she said, "but grabbed mv baby, which is nine months old, and the little gi'rl of four. I left 1.2s 6d in the drawer in the bedroom, and ran. down the stairs into the street. My boy Jinny," said Mrs. Kirby. "had no time to put on his clothes, and got out ill the street in his nightshirt, I looked for my husband, bill could not see him : then someone said he was quite safe. Thank God we are all sale, but. we have lost everything in the world, and so have the other families. None of them except Mrs. 'ox was ln.-in ed.'' A GRATEFUL PARENT BEARS TESTIMONY TO IDS DAUGHTER'S CUKE OP LUNG DISEASE BY VITADATIO. Singleton, N.S.W., May 30, 1901. To Ml!. S. A. PALMER. Dear Sir,—My daughter has suffered with lung disease since she was five years of age. She is now eleven, ami in good health, thanks to your valuable medicine. After trying a great many patent medicines, with varying effect, 1 was persuaded to give VITADATIO a trial, and the improvement in her condition was at once noticed by Mrs. Porter and myself. My daughter has been a great sufferer, and was given up by the doctors after breakma,- a blood-vessel about three years ago, the medical man remarking that she could not live through the winter. But. VITADATIO willed ot.ierwi.se, as she is now well Three years ago she had a bad attack, when she frequently spat up blood, so 1 immediately purchased a bottle of your medicine, with the resuit that it completely cured her. You can make any use of this' testimonial, as I would like to see other sufferers benefit by your appropriately-named medicine— DATIO.

Yours truly, WILLIAM PORTER, Bootmaker. Johnston-street, Singleton, N.S.YV. For further particulars S. A. PALMER, WAREHOUSE, WATERLOO QUAY, WELLINGTON, Or 350, Queen-street, Auckland. Correspondence invited. Writs for Testimonials. The price of Medicine is 5s 6d and 3s 6d per bottle.