GREAT FIRE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1403, 19 January 1899, Page 28

GREAT FIRE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

EIGHT SERVANT GIRLS BURNID TO DEATH. DAMAGE, A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS. Tho Baldwin Theatre and Hotel, one of the 1./rgest buildingß in San Francisco—the hotel being second only to the Palace, the finest hotel in America—was burned down on the 23rd November after the performance of the " Secret Service." Tl)c hotel was crowded with patrons, and when tho alarm was given, so quickly did the ilames spread that many were tillable to escape, and were burned to death. Eight servant girls, who slept fit the top floor, were burned to death. Many other employees are unaccounted for. While the roof was in flames a man, clad in a nightdress, clambered on to an upper window, but was seen to fall back into the flames. How many wore killed is not definitely known, neither are their names, but it is thought not to be so great as- was expected, owing to the prompt alarm. The building and furniture were worth 1,500,000 dollars. Colonel Estill, now in charge of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, is promoting the formation of Bands of Love in connection with the junior soldier corps In the Home country this new departure has proved a great success, and where introduced in tho colonies the movement bids fair to be equally successful. Tho object of the Band of Love is to prevent the formation of evil habits amongst children. It is modelled somewhat on the same linos as Bands of Hope; but a wider and more extensive platform is put forward, as will be seen by the nine points ot tho pledge, which arc:—Abstinence from intoxicating liquors, from Binokinc swearing, stealing and gambling, the cub tivntion of habits of ipve to all. kindness to dumb animals, truthfulness, and morning and evening prayers. A syllabus of meetiage for a quarter is furnished, in winch social family chat and light refreshments figure.