FIRE ON THE MANUKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 8

FIRE ON THE MANUKA.

LANDING DAMAGED CARGO. TONS OF GOODS RUINED. ORIGIN OF THE OUTBREAK. PROBABLY AMONG PHOTO FILMS. [BY TELXJGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN. Monday. Cargo damaged by fire and water was discharged from the Union Company's intercolonial steamer Manuka to-day. The cargo was stowed in No. 2 hold where the fire occurred last Wednesday night. About 80 tons was consigned to Dunedin and most of it was either burned or absolutely ruined. A view of the hold yesterday disclosed a mass of burned and water-soaked goods of all descriptions. There was every indication that the fire started among a fewcases of photographic films stowed in a corner of the starboard side of the hold. The cases containing the films and also most of the contents were practically burned to a cinder. Four cases containing motor-cars which were stowed at the bottom of the hold havo been landed. One case was burned through and the car has probably been badly damaged. Two cases entirely escaped the flames while the third was only discolourod by smoke. lietween 10 and 15 small cases which contained miscellaneous goods wore practically destroyed, while several hundred bags of rico flour were ruined by water. Two dynamos and several wool packs were also damaged by water.

Bicycle Tyres Destroyed. The rubber goods, mostly bicycle tyres, which were stowed on top or alongside the c.-Lses of photographic films, wero burned to a cinder. Hardly a tyre escaped, | and all that remains is a mass of twisted i thin wire aud debris. | The wooden bulkhead dividing the hold j and the bunkers was badly charred. I It was fortunate that tho ship's officers and the brigade located the scat of tho outbreak So quickly, as had the fire burned through the bulkhead the coal in the starboard bunker would have been ignited. | Had this happened the Manuka would i probably have suffered serious structural damage. An examination of tho lowor hold discloses that two or three overhead strengthening plates were buckled through the heat, but it is thought that tho hull plates escaped damage. Eepairs at Port Chalmers. The Manuka carried about 300 tons in the other holds for Lyttf jton and Wellington Tho whole of tha cargo will bo landed to-morrow. Until No. 2 hold has been cleared no accurate estimate of the damage can be given. It is stated that the four stud rams which were suffocated were not consigned to the Argentine. Two were consigned from Melbourne to Lyttelton and tho other two from Bluff to Melbourne The- passengers who booked by the Manuka for Melbourne will make the trip by the Moeraki, which is timed to leave Dunedin on Friday afternoon for Melbourne, via Bluff and Milford Sound. It is expected that tho Manuka will go to Port Chalmers to-morow where tho damage to No. 2 hold will bo repaired. The vessel will lie up at Port Chalmers fcr an indefinite period.