FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 801, 6 April 1867, Page 3

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

(From the Daily Times, April 3*)

Mr Willson's account of his locking up his shop about eight o'clock, on Monday evening, and as to the then condition of things wittrtn, has already been published. < It was a point much discussed yesterday^ how it was possible for the fire to gain s* great a hold of Mr Willson's shop, without the progress of the flimes being smeiled,. seen, or heard, by some one in Hoarding's Hotel, or on the premises of Herbert, Haynes and Co. The billiard room of the hotel adjoined the shop, with nothing bat slightly covered wood between them; and just the same was the case with regard t& Herbert, Haynes and Co.'s upper rooms,, where some of the assistants were sitting* or in bed. They, as we hear, knew nothing of the fire until it was seen almost entering their room; and Mr Herbert, who was writiag in another room, got nor longer or less startling warning. As to the hotel, the first inmate who was alarmed appears to have been one of the waiters. He was in the billiard room, when a man ran in and asked,. " Doe 3 anybody live in the next shop ? It seems to be on fire." The waiter, knowing that no one lived there, ran out, peeped between the shutters, and saw a-. strong light. His account of what followed is substantially this : — He pulled down some of the shutters, smashed tbe window, and got through. Somewherenear the back of the shop, he saw a clear,, smokeless flame rising from some vessel a couple of feet high ; around that vessel being ranged wood tubs or buckets. What fed the flame, tbe waiter does not pretend to suggest ; but, acting on his first impulse, he dashed at the central vessel and upset it. Then (he says) flame floated over a great portion of the floor of the shop; and the whole place was blazing and could not again be entered. We have heard that this account of wbat happened can be corroborated by a man ■who entered tbe shop with, or instantly after, the waiter. Whether such is the case or not, and what reliauce can be placed on the statements if made, will no doubt be ascertained to-day ; for it has been resolved that an inquiry shall be held by the Coroner.

On all sides, yesterday, there were to be heard congratulations on the fire having; been prevented crossing Moray Place, and praises of Capt. Rees and the Volunteer Brigade. After the flames had crossed Princes street, members of the Brigade — wrapped in blankets, or protected by shields improvised of shutters or boarding—kept their posts between the two fires, and, kneeling or lying down, they continued to direct jets upon the buildings on the easterly side. When they retired, it was because there was no more water im-> mediately available; and because it was seen by Capt. Rees tbat nothing could be done but trying to stop the fire at Moray Place. For this purpose, the little water that was procurable was husbanded^.

The tmali bauu-eugiats were placed and water tubbed for them — screens were prepared — acd other arrangements were made for the all-important effort. The engines were not kept at work continuously ; for had this been done, there would have been a want of water before the fiercest of the fire from the Criterion Hotel and Mr Tofield's shop had expended itself. The direction of the wind at the last, took tbe body of flame from the Criterion towards the shop of Mr S. • Webb, plumber and glazier, Moray Place, rather than directly across the road, to Messrs Park and Curie's; but the danger, had Mr Webb's place been ignited, would have been scarcely less than if the fire had first reached Messrs Park and Curie's. The front of Mr Webb's shop was left completely blackened, where not charred ; but the shop was saved. The escape oi'the Criterion Stables, occupied by Mr D. Carson, has been mentioned That escape was mainly due to Captain Rees having caused one of the engines to be taken down a right of way from Moray ' Place, so as to check the flames from one of the piles in Messrs Jago and Co's timber yard. The saving of the stables saved Mr Carson's dwelling-house, the house of Dr Keimer, and other adjacent premises.

Throughout Monday night, without intermissioD, the Brigade continued at work. The deals, &c , stacked in Meesrs Jago and Co.'s yard, burned strongly until after daylight ; and for about eight hours one of the engines was used in playing upon the remains there. Another point at ■which there was a large body of burning material, was the site of Messrs Herbert,. Haynee, and Co.'s premises. The heavier materials in stock had, no doubt, fallen in masses, with the exterior only of each burned ; and a great deal of water was needed here. During yesterday, "with hut short rests for food and refreshment, the Brigade still worked away — one part of their labor being pulling or pushing down the many chimney-stacks, most of •which were in a dangerous state. McD, hired for the purpose, worked in sets at the engines ; for constantly it was necessary to pour water upon different points. There were many searchers amidst the rains, for the wrecks of specially prized or "valuable things; and in the Octagon, in Moray Place, and in the low ground on the side of Princes street, there were scores of persons sorting and carrying away the remains of the goods or furniture which had been most hastily tossed from the burning buildings. Experience yesterday proved that many things got out safely, and which it was feared bad been subsequently destroyed or carried off as plunder, had been removed away very much further than had been deemed probable, and were being carefully held for reclamation by the owners. This, we are certain, will prove to be the case ■with very much property which is still missing. But it would be well if, in compliance with an official notification, all those who have possession of even the most trivial thing from " the fire," should "bring it to some specified place, for examination and identification.

Some unreflecting persons, who probably stood still and watched the fire, have talked about the " absence of the police." Such talk is utterly without justification. Those who kDow what was going on, know that police officers were stationed almost in a circle, so as to watch property which was removed out of the reach of the flames ; that that duty was zealously oerformed ; and that officers could not have been better employed. The force rendered good service in other ways. The Commissioner devoted a great deal of energy — on just that side of the fire where the Brigade could not at first be — to preventing the ignition of the Criterion Stables, and also to preventing the flames spreading through the premises of Messrs Burt and Garrett to St George's Hall and the adjoining buildings. The Commissioner, with volunteers whom he gathered, pulled down the back part of Messrs Burt's workshop, so as essentially to check the fire there. Some of Burt and Grieves annihilatorp, which ■were in stock, but forgotten at first, were subsequently " charged " by Mr Burt, and were used with advantage.

It must be said here, that the statement that Messrs Garrett and Co's coach factory was burned, which has been before made, was made in error. There has been injury done to the buildings, and to the ttock by hurried removal of thinga; but the premises were not touched by fire.

IXSUKANCE9 AND LOSSES.

A meeting of insurance agents was held yesterday forenoon, at the office of the Victoria Company, Princes street. Mr A. Hill ,Jack, agent for the Victoria Company, presided ; and all the companies having local agencies were represented. A statement showing the amount to which each Company is interested was prepared ; and it was jesolved to call for an inquiry into the origin of the fire. The official statement has been courteously furnished to us through Mr Jack ; and all the following details are based upon or copied from it. ' 1

I .but first, as to the totaHoss caused by the ( destruction of property on Monday night. The -insurances upon buildings burned down or much damaged, and tbe stocks of goods or the furniture in them, amount to about L 22,000 ; and we are assured that, takiDg that sum as a basis, it is a low estimate to assume that the value of property actually destroyed— apart from salvage — is, from L 35,000 to L 40.000. There are many direct losses, not represented in this calculation, which considerably swell the total stated; and there still remain the great pecuniary damages consequent upon tbe stoppage of businesses, &c. We feel sure that, if the different sums given below were added together, the money-loss from this conflagration so represented /rould be found heavily in excess of what we have named or suggested ; but in, putting forward a general statement of damages, it is desirable that anything approaching exaggeration should be avoided. We will first group the particulars as to insurances upon the different buildings, with the total loss estimated— in as many cases as possible— by the owner or occupier: — Octagon Hotel, and Mr Willson's shop : These buildings belonged to Mr William Meluish. The hotel was insured for L7OO, and the shop for L3OO, in the Liverpool and London and Globe Office. These sums are considerably below the original insurances ; but there is no doubt that the different Companies have been "shy" with respect to the whole block, from the Octagon to the Criterion — there was not a brick wall in the whole of it — and that they have caused the amounts of insurances to be gradually reduced, during the last two or three years. Probably from L3OO to LSOO would represent Mr Meluish 's loss, in excess of insurance. Mr Harding, the occupier of the Octagon Hotel, was not at all insured; and his loss is estimated at L6OO or LBOO. Mr Willson's stock was insured for L3OO in the Victoria, and LSOO in the Alliance; its total value being put down at LI2OO. Herbert, Hayne?, and Co. : This firm owned the building on lease ; the groundowner being Mr D. Napier. The building or buildings— for there were two shops — were insured for LIOOO. equally in the Liverpool and London (we shall use this name for brevity), and the Royal. The buildings were worth very considerably more than LIOOO. The stock was insured for L3SOO— LIOOO in the Australian, LISOO in the Royal, LSOO in the Otago, and LSOO in the Victoria. The esti- i mated valueof the stock was from L 14,000 j to L 16.000. The explanation of this great difference between value and insurance, is, as we understand, that the firm had resolved to convert the building into one of brick; and had, consequently, not renewed some recently- expired policies, seeing that only a slight difference with the ground-land-lord as to a renewal of lease, stood in the way of a commencement of the conversion. By two of the latest vessels from Home, the firm had received goods to the value of L3OOO, which had just been got into the premises. It is believed that nearly the whole stock of silk poods was fortunately got out of the shop, and it is hoped that they will prove to be but little damaged; there was also saved a considerable portion of the stock in the clothing department. Of personal wearing apparel, the members of the firm and their assistants saved no more than they wore and worked in during the fire. Paterscn and M'Leod : This firm owned the premises occupied by Mr G. R. West, Mr De Maus, and by themselves. The first was insured forLsoo, in the Imperial ; the second was not separately insured ; the third was insured for LSOO in. the Imperial, L3OO in the New Zealand, and L 250 in the Royal. An additional Euro of L3OO was insured m the Royal, on the second and third sets of premises. On the whole, Messrs Paterson and M'Leod's premises were pretty fully insured. On their own stock, the insurances amounted to LIBO0 — L3OO in the New Zealand, L 750 in the London and Liverpool, L 250 in the Royal, and LSOO in the Otago. But the estimated lo^s to the firm, on the stock, is stated at L 2500 ; and it is a singular fact, that L6OO worth should have been taken in only during Monday afternoon and evening.

G. R. West and Co. : Mr West's stock was insured for LIOOO in the Australasian ; but the estimated value was from L3OOO to L 3500. It was not possible to form an opinion yesterday as to Mr West's real loss, as the saved pianos, &c, had not been ex* amined ; but it will be heavy — probably LlßooorL2ooo.

De Maus and Sontgen and Carr: We could not ascertain anything as to the loss in either of these cases.

Reid, chemist and druggist: This shop belonged to Mr Barker. The stock, worth L 750, was insured in the Royal for L 250. The amount saved was but small.

Zierck, fancy warehouse : This is another stock as to which we couM not obtain ;n-formation.;n-formation. The shop was part of the Theatre block.

Theatre Royal : Tbi3 was the property of Mr Barker, and was not at all insured. Criterion Hotel and Billiard Room:

These belonged to Mr P. Barker. The insui an c*B amounted toL2BO0 — LBOO in the New Zealand, LIOOO in ' the Liverpool and London, L 250 in the Victoria, L 250 in the OUgo, and LSOO in the Imperial. The hotel stock, &c, had an insurance of L4OO in the New Zealand. These sums make a total oi L 320 0; but Mr Barker's estimate is that L7OOO would not suffice to replace his property as a whole, as it stood on Monday evening. The tables were got out of the billiard room, but- some of the slates of each were left in the 6treet and were smashed, so that both tables may be regarded as about destroyed ; and though much of the hotel furniture was got out, it was smashed or otherwise very greatly injured.

Wilkie's Cottage Moray Place : The building was insured for L3OO in the Otago.

Johnston, plumber, &c , Moray Place : L2OO in the Australasian, represents the insurance on this building. The stock was not insured ; and the loss on it is stated at L2OO.

Law. Somner, and Co., Octagon : The building, the property of the firm, is insured for LoOO in the Royal ; and on the stock, there is L7OO in the Royal, and LSOO in the London and Lancashire. The estimate is, that the loss is not much more than half covered.

Simpson, butcher: This building belonged to the trustee in " Johnson's estate," and there is a policy for L3OO in the Victoria. We understand that Mr Simpsaa was insured for L2OO, in the Oca^o ; and he calculates his loss at as much more, at least. Burt and Co., plumbers, ironworkers, &c. : The firm's building was insured for L2OO in the New Zealand; and their stock, &c, for L9OO, in the same office. The building, partly burned and partly pulled down, is about useless ; much of the stock was broken or injured ; and the estimated amount of the whole damage done, is from LSOO to L6OO.

Garrett and Co.'s building is insured in the New Zealand, for Ll5O. We could not ascertain the loss from removal of property. South Australian Hotel, Cullen and Key's shop, &c. This building, which is tbe property of Mr Corbett, is insured for Ll 7oo— originally in the Otago, but L7OO being re- insured by that company in the Victoria. The estimated damage for repairs (the building being of brick) is L2OO. Mr Ware, the keeper of the hotel, is not at all insured. Hi 3 loss, consequent upon removal of stock and furniture, will be about L3O. Messrs. Cullen and Key's stock (furniture makers and dealers) <is estimated as having been worth LI4OO to LI500; and the deterioration, from blistering, wetting, and removal, is calculated roughly at something over 30 per cent. The insurance on this stock is for LIOOO, in the Victoria.

Charles Begg, pianoforte, &c, dealer : Mr. Begg's insurance on his building was fur L250~ in the Northern. His stock was not insured 5 and his loss, as a whole, will most probably prove a heavy one. It had not been at all calculated yesterday, we believe.

Scanlan Brothers : Building, insured for L 250, in the Northern -, stock, for L3OO, in the New Zealand. We could not ascertain the loss.

Old Town Board Offices : This building belonged to Mr James Turner, and was insured in the Royal for L4OO, which was below its value. The lower part (re-con-verted into a shop) was empty. In the upper part of this building, Mr Balfour, C.E., had offices, as had also Mr MGrcgor, architect. Mr Patersou, C.B , the Railway Engineer, had offices in Messrs Paterson and M'Leod's buildings. Instruments belonging to the Government, and all the scroll plans of the Southern Trunk Railway, were first taken from Mr Paterson's to Mr Ealfour's office ; and subsequently they were again removed, aad were saved. But many plans belonging to Mr Paterson, and plans and lithographs which wtre being prepared for the purpose of being taken to England by Mr W. C. Young, could not be got out of Mr Paterson's office, and were burned. The journals of the borings lor the dock at PoTt Chalmers, as taken by or for Mr Balfour, were also saved — found by accident, we believe, amongst papers hurriedly bundled out, when the fire crossed Prince 3 street. Mr M'Gregor also lost plans, drawings, and instruments. In none of these cases can a money-value be easily fixed. W. Gregg, coffee and spice merchant: Mr Gregg was the owner of the building which he occupied, and also the adjoining one, occupied by Mr Schnack, hairdresser and bath-keeper. The former building was insured for L3OO, in the Royal : the latter, for L 350, in the Australasian. Mr Gregg's stock and machinery were insured for LSOO in the New Zealand, L6OO in the Royal. He estimates his loss on stock, &c. as L 750 in excess of insurances. We could not ascertain Mr Schnack's loss 5 but he has an insurance for L2OO in the Australasian.

W. Sinclair, tailor, &c : TN c building, which belonged to* Mr Sinclair, was insured in the Liverpool arid London, for L 400; and hie insurances on stock were L4OO in the Royal, and L2OO in the Australasian. We heard that Mr Sinclair's loss will be light.

Crawford, surgeon, and Tofield, watchmaker and jeweler : This building belonged to Mr John Logan, and his insurance is L 450 in the Liverpool and London. Mr Logan owns the land from Moray Place down to the South Australian Hotel block. Mr Crawford's stock. &c , was insured for L 250. and Mr Tofield's for L2OO, both in the Victoria. We have not heard whether Mr Crawford Io?e3 ; and Mr Tofjeld, we understand, had not, up to list evening, estimated his loss. He suffered, we believe, through the rough eagerness of fiiends and other?, whoremoved some of his stock while he was engaged in wrapping and packing the more delicate and valuable portions; but stories which were current as to absolute robberies from Mr. Tofield, we heard contradicted very positively, on the authority of that gentleman himsdf. A good many articles of value in Mr. Tofield's shop had been left with him for repair; and respecting their safety, Mr. Tofield, while still in. doubt, is naturally most anxious. fasting from the actual limits of the fire, the following had their premises or stocks injured : — Mr Matthews's shop and cottage were not damaged by fire, but he lost by the removal of his stock ; his nursery fence was pulled down, as a precaution ; and the plants, &c, in the nursery, have been much shrivelled up. He is insured in the London and Liverpool". —Mr Aikman, of the Glasgow Arms, must have suffered from water ; but he no doubt thinks little of that, seeing that his premises escaped. — Messrs Park and Curie had little or no damage done. —Mr Webb, of Moray Place, has his partial damage covered by insurance in the New Zealand ; and Messrs Low and Son, saddlers, have their premises insured for Ll5O.

In the Cutting, Mr. A. R. Hay was, probably, the greatest sufferer. His shop was almost cleared ont ; and his loss may prove from L3OO to LSOO. He was putting goods in case?, for removal with care ; hut friends and others outstripped his wishes. This was not done until part of the roof over Messrs. Beveridge and Dyson's shop had been ignited by great flakes of burning matter ; and the premises of Mr. Lazirus, fancy dealer, had also been ignited by flakes that came through the open window of the servant's bedroom. But Mr. Hay's loss, and the losses of his immediate neighbors, are trifling to what the}' would have been, despite insurances, had the fire extended to Park and Curie's, and the gable of Belgrave Chambers.

Taking the different offices, their in surnnces seem to stand thus : —

Royal, L 545 0: Herbert, Haynea and Co's buildings, LSOO, and stock, L 1000; Paterson and" M'Leod's building, L 250, and stock, L 250; West's building, L30O; Reid's stock, L 250 ; Law, Somner and Co's building, LSOO, and stock, L 70 0; Turner's building, L 400; Gregg's building, L3OO, and stock, L6OO ; Sinclair's stock, L4OO.

Liverpool and London, L 4100: Octagon Hotel building, L 70 0; Willaon's building, L3OO ; Herbert, Haynes and Co's building, L 500; Paterson and M'Leod's stock,'L7sO; Criterion Hotel building, L 1000: Sinclair's building, L 40 0; Logan's building, L 450. New Zealand, L 365 0: Paterson and M'Leod's building, L3OO, and stock, L30O; Criterion building, LBOO, and stock, L40O; Burt's building, L2OO, and stock, L9OO,Garrett's building, L 150; Scanlan's stock, L 30 0; Gregg's stock, LSOO. Australasian, L 2750 : Herbert, Hayces and Co's stock, L 1000; West's stock, L 100 0; Johnston's building, L 20 0; Schnack's shop, L 350, and stock, L2OO.

Victoria, L 2300 (apart from Cullen and Key and the South Australian Hotel) r Willson's stock, L 30 0; Criterion building, L 250; Herbert, Haynes and Co's stock, L 50 0; Simpson's building, L 30 0; Crawiord's stock, L 250 ; Tofield's stock, L2OO. Otago, L 1550 : Herbert, Haynes and Co's stock, LSOO ; Paterson and M'Leod's stock, L 500; Criterion building, L 25 0; Wilkie's cottage, L3OO. Imperial, L 1000: Paterson and M'Leod's building, LSOO ; Criterion buildiner, LSOO. London and Lancashire, L 50 0: Law, Somner, and Co.'s stock.

Northern, L 50 0: Begg's building, L 25 0; Scanlan's building, L 250. Alliance, LsoO ': Willson's stock. There was a story yesterday, that Messrs Herbert, Haynes and Co.'s safe was completely destroyed by the fire— that gold and silver coin left in it had run into a mass ; and that back notes and the books were but ashes. The story was an exaggeration. The safe was searched for by the Brigade, and vas got at before five o'clock yesterday morning. The money in it was only what was taken after three o'clock on Monday. The gold and silver coins were found in good condition ; the numbers of the notes could be ascertained ; and all the most important entries in the books can be easily «opied.