FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4870, 26 September 1877, Page 3

FIRES.

The information against Messrs Woir and-Samson, in which they were charged ■with having wilfully set fire to* their prejnises in Princes street, was dismissed at the City Police Court on the Sth September. The Court, however, endorsed the opinion expressed by the Coroners Jury that the fire was the act bf an incendiary. Shortly after six o'clock on Saturday morning, the Bth September, the top of the Fire Brigade Station, fronting High street, was discovered to be on fire. It was. extinguished before any serious damage was done. The fire occurred through the Corporation steam roller having been lighted close to the Station. The building aud other effeeis of the Brigade are insured in the Kew Zealand Company'« office for £1000.

An alarm of lire was given elir.rtly before 11 o'clock on the night of the llth September, and on -'reaching. Stafford sireet, flamea wore seen issuing from Messrs Kempthorne,. Prosser,-and Oo.'s drug store The Fire Brigade were «oo« on the spot wiih their appliances, and setting t'> work with a will and having a good pressure o£ water, the fire was xjuicldy subdued, Uttle. or no damage Slaving bsen do?>e. On entering tile premises, it was fousd that the fire orioiStated at the.top.of the stairs on the loft hand side of the building" leading to''the pacing ..'room. The .floor was afi burnt end a i-w cases of cordials were charred, bat tiieie,ihe damage ended,? excepting' su3h as njight have been caused by irater No idea as ta Jidw the fire occurred can iegiveji. K"o "ojio lives on the-premiaaa, and the employe* all leave between 5 and half-past 0 p.m -"-Tliere is a policy for £500 ia tha 'JSa'-iorisl Insurance Office on

the building, but the stock was uninsured.

A fire occurred shortly before midnight on Wednesday 12th September, and resulted in the loss of a stable and effects, including three valuable horses and seven cases of kerosene, the property of Mr W. C. M'JNee, tho lecal postmaster and storekeeper. The fire originated in a small room adjoining the stable, in which the kerosene had. been stored. Mr M'Nee estimates his los 3at £250. He was not certain at the time whether the stable was insured, but if so. its insurance would only amount to about £50. His two buildings in front of the stables with his stock are insured in the Standard Company's oflice for £1200. An effort to save the unfortunate horses was entirely unsuccessful. Water was very scarce, and if there had.bsen any wind stirring at the time tho damage to the adjoining properties would havebeen considerable.