ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 23

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

Pencarrow.

(Special for the 'Otago Witness.) November 29. A most disastrous fire occurred in Wellington on Monday night. The outbreak was observed about 10 o’clock, and the fire brigade rushed to the scene of ac-‘ tion, but in spite of herculean labour and the valuable assistance of men from “£I.M.S. Dunedin, the fruit market was almost completely destroyed, surrounding buildings badly damaged, and over £250,000 worth of damage done in four or five hours.

The fruit markets are near Courtenay place, between Allen street and Blair street. More than half the block went up in Haines, which made an alarming glare. Thousands hurried to be as near the scene as possible, and it is generally agreed that no greater conflagration has been witnessed in the city by this generation. The fire bells no longer ring in Wellington, and the scream <>. the fire engine’s syren, with which we are all familiar, calls the alarm only to those who happen to be near. But on this occasion the whole city was roused. It was the hour when people were returning from the theatres and other places of amusement. The news spread by telephone. People got out their cars—hundreds of them—and rushed to see what was going on. It was an awe-inspiring spectacle, too exciting seen from close quarters. It is said that the water supply was inadequate, and that the fire-fighters were faced with an impossible task. The superintendent says that there was plenty of water, but the fire was quite extraordinary—it spread so rapidly and got so big a start that it was humanly impossible to check it sooner. Highly inflammable material was stored in and under the markets. One of the warehouses was stocked with Christmas hams, which fed the flames. l?y the united efforts of men from every brigade station, the police, the sailors, and other volunteers the fire was held, and by daylight it was known that the danger to the city was over. What we owe to the firemen not all of us realise. Theirs is an heroic task, always dangerous—even more so on this occasion than usual. Viewed next day the wreckage was appalling—so, too, is the realisation of what might have been. The list of damaged properties makes sad reading. The loss of stock is serious, and must inconvenience the entire community. The insurance companies must, suffer heavily. Not only was the fruit market destroyed, but various kinds of warehouses and offices were affected, some most seriously. It is believed that the fire started in the basement of Thompson Brothers’ Building, where enormous quantities of inflammable goods were stored. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. It is now realised that fires can spread although the buildings are not of wood. This conflagration followed hard upon the general elections, and has given the city something else to think about and to discuss.

Preparations are being made for the opening of Parliament next week. Proceedings will be unusual, and even greater interest would be taken in the state of affairs were it not for the King’s illness, which overshadows everything just now. Inevitable changes are taking place — Ministers vacating their residences and preparing to return to their own private affairs. Doubtless there are others making other preparations—but who is who and what is what nobody here seems to know, and few are rash enough to hazard an opinion. Improbable yarns are spread, and the gossips are busy. One thing only seems quite certain—Mr Coates and all connected with him are retiring with dignity. There is no bitterness, but a kindly, toleration. Ardent supporters of the Reform Party have not lost their heads. They are inclined rather to smile, perhaps ruefully—and few can claim that they were not surprised at the result of the elections.

. A New Zealand friend, writing from Melbourne, refers to the cricket match: “ I went bright and early, got a real good seat, and prepared to enjoy myself. Alas! About 10 minutes before they were due to start it began to drizzle. Adjournment for three-quarters of an hour, then they came out and began to place the field, and Tate swung his bowling arm vigorously and hitched up his pants — a favourite trick of his. Then it started again. After that they uncovered the wicket and covered it again three or four times. The devil was in it. The rain began like clockwork each time. So several hours went by. At last there was a fine spell and some feeble sun for over an hour, and this time I thought they were off, and Ryder, came out and inspected the outfield, and decided it was too soft and slippery, Chapman very wisely being unwilling to run the risk of his two star bowlers slipping and straining themselves. They retired amid a storm of execration and Aussie epithets. This was repeated later, and this time Ryder wanted to go on, so it was left to the umpires to decide—but the rain came on properly at last, and the business was over. I was too fed up for words. The Aussies were fed up, too, but not for

words. They had plenty—really gorgeous ones, but not to be repeated in polite society.” * * * Wellington is toiling for that last few thousands. The Mayor with others set out to raise £100,090. All went merrily till the £BO,OOO mark was reached. Then began the business of tearing it out of the people, who quite appreciate the idea of a national art gallery and museuni! but are not so keen about helping to get . W . e , want tlie balance of the money this side of Christmas. When we get it a Government—not vet labelled—will provide £lOO,OOO subsidy. The building is to be on Mount Cook. Only yesterday a tourist remarked: ” What an extraordinarv place for a museum/’ It was explained that this Mount Cook is a hill in the centre of W ellmgton city. “ Why don’t you say so? ” he inquired. « * * * “ The League of Nations Pageant ” was opened on Monday night. It is part of the general effort which includes entertainments of all kinds—processions, another pageant entitled “A Dream of Fair Women,” concerts, dances, gymnastic displays, and as a grand finale a carnival week in the near future. This pageant is staged every evening in the W inter Show Building, and was°not well patronised on the opening night. There were other attractions and .. thunderstorm—not to mention the great fire tbe eve ning. The pageant is ambitious. It begins with a parade oi the nations and is allegorical and very interesting and instructive. The dressing is excellent, and must represent an enormous amount of O rk and enenw. Various maids of honour, carnival queens, are running stalls, stocked with anything and everything, and are in attendance every nmht. The public has the appearance of being out ot sympathy—or very hard up. Small boys, armed with pennies, crowd round t . I< ii S p'iT stalls ’ but eager buyers with well-filled purses are conspicuous by their absence. These efforts will continue till about December 10, and the final financial results may be quite satisfactory. W e hope so. Some little t- ago, after the £BO,OOO mark had been passed, it was officially annn llnC ? d tl ? at S ° far there llad been 3000 subscribers—many of whom <mve very large sums. Little imagination is required to picture a very satisfactory sum which could be raised by a “one shilling ” subscription list—but a man of genius is required to persuade the small subscriber that this is the cheapest and simplest way.