FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1169, 8 December 1868, Page 3

FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

(From the TaranaJci Herald November 28.) On Tuesday morning, the 2th instant, about halfpast one, the inhabitants of this town were again arou?cd from their slumbers by the ominous toll of the fire-bell.

The so ne of the conflagration was on the north side of Devon-street, between Liardet and Curriestreets, and commenced in a building known as Barfcleft's Boarding House. Before scarcely the alarm was given the back premises were in flames, and Mr. Lowry, who resided next door, had only time to escape with ln's family before the whole house vas on fire. The wind was blowing strongly at the time from the S.W., which fanned the flames over the adjoining houses, leaving little hope for saving any building, from the spot where it commenced to Liardet-street. Lowry's house was soon consumed, ns was also the one recently occupied by Mr. E. M. Smith ; and then Mr. E. J. Cudd's furniture warehouse and grocery store fell a sacrifice to the devouring element. Active measures were at once taken on perceiving the danger to Mr. Cudd's building, to remove as many valuables from the shop as possible, and consequently tho door-i were broken open, and the inhabitants who had then assembled in large numbei'3, worked with great energy, and saved a largo amount of property.

Mr. Watson's building and workshop next was sacrificed, and much property was destroyed. A valuable lathe was broken in removal, besides other things, which cannot, without difficulty be replaced. Mr. Watson is not insured, and his loss will be over £4000. The fire then took Mrs. Smart's house, wliich is situated in Liardet-street. On the other side of Banlett's building the fire consumed Hoby's photographic gallery and an empty house, when it was allayed by (ho pulling down of a small shop belonging to Mr. Nicoll, tinsmith. The whole of the back buildings of tlr so houses were consumed ; and it was three o'clock before the fire had subsided.

The origin of the fire is rot known, and the houge it commenced in was uninhabited at the time.. Mr. Lowry states that when he awoke lie saw the kitchen of the boarding house on fire, but had no sooner got his family into the street than the whole building burst into a mass of flamos.

Great praise is due to the neighbors and othe o who had assembled, for their praiseworthy efforts to save the property from the burning buildings. The members of the Fire Brigade worked well, as also did the soldiers of the 18th Royal Irish, under command of Captain Thacker, of"whose exertions too muoh cannot be said in their praise.

No accident of ft aerioug nature occurred we ore

happy to say, at the fire, although "Mr.'Ho well had his arm injured by something falling across it.

The insurances are as follows

Mr. Cudd's house and stock £700, in the new Zealand, and £700 in the Victoria Insurance Company.; £1400.

Empty house lately occupied by Mr. E. M. Smith, in the New Zealand Insurance Company, £200. Barfciett'a boarding house in New Zealand Insurance Company, £300. An inquest on tho fire was commenced yesterday, but it was not concluded till a late hour last night. The jury retired at 1030 p.m., and returned at five minutes part 12 with a verdict to the effect that tho fire, by whico Bartlett'3 boarding house was destroyed, wai wilfully occasioned by some person or persons to the jury unknown.