CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 19

CANTERBURY.

At the Supreme Court the case of Stephen Lambert v. the Canterbury Stevedoring Association, a claim for £500 damages for injuries sustained by plaintiff while engaged in discharging ballast from the ship Thessalus, was heard before Mr Justice Denniston and a jury of four. The jury found for plaintiff for £175. On Saturday the large Methodist Church in St. Asaph street, Christchurch, was burned to the ground, with the Sunday school adjoining. The buildings had previously three narrow escapes of destruction from fire, and as the roof had been shingle, after the last it had been covered with iron. The fire started in a water closet, and with the strong wind blowing speedily communicated with the schoolroom, where a meeting was being held, and then to the church, both being soon* reduced to ashes, only the organ being got out. The church was surrounded with cottages and a large timber yard at the back, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the brigade saved these. During the progress of the fire two accidents occurred. Fireman Kennedy was injured by the falling of the burning timbers of the wall of the schoolroom, and the occupier of the adjoining house got his arm put out. The church, schoolroom, and contents were insured in the Royal Exchange office for £1300.