FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 30

FIRES.

A seven-roomed house at Broad Bay, belonging to Mrs G. Smith, was burnt down about 4 or 5 o'clock on Thursday morning. Mrs Smith was awakened by heariug a crackling noise at the baok part of the house, which was found to be in flames which spread very rapidly, Mrs Smith and her daughter, Miss Racburn, only escaping in their night-dresses. How the fire originated is at present a mystery, but those first about noticed that the fowlhouse 40ft or 50ft away was also on fire, nud the slight breeze was in the direction of the house. The house and ground had been leased to a Mr Burnard at St. Leonards, whose son was sleeping in the house at the time, and who did all that could be done in saving a few articles of furniture, though losing at the same time his own clothes and watch. The house and furniture were insured in the New Zealand office for £335. A piano separately insured is a total loss, the policy having just expired. The Kailway Hotel at Wyndham, occupied by John Monaghan, was burned down at 3 oMock on Thursday morning. Very,]ittle was saved, the inmates escaping with scant clothing. The building was insured for £550, and the stock and furniture for £250, both in the New Zealand office, with reinsurances in the North German and Colonial amounting to £525. The fire was caused by a defective chimney.

The discussion in the Home papers of the cases of Mirvivors of the famous charge of tha Light Brigade who were desirous of obtain : ng employment has resalted in the offer to provide it by a large business firm in the West End, London. Fresh cases of distresß have been reported, and further offers of pecuniary support have been received. The Bth Hussars seem to have been more unfortunate than the res^. With the exception of Trooper Macaulay, who is comfortably situated in 21 West street, Leeds, and J. Bevin, who is in Dunedin as sergeant-major of police, all the non-commispioned officers are, with one or twp exceptions, worn out, ill, or unable to work.