FiRES AT CHRISTCHURCH...

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12878, 23 August 1910, Page 4

FiRES AT CHRISTCHURCH.. .

Christchurch, August i 22. ";* There, has been quite an epidemic of; flrt; alarms in tho city the last day or two. There wore four alarms on Saturday, two false and two for in^ cipient fires, and four yesterday, three false alarms and ona for a tire in the suburbs. Ono of Saturday's fires occurred in an Unoccupted 'house. It v is belieyetl to have boon Caused deliberately. This morning, libout five o'clock, a beautiful resi--de.nce,. known as "Ham, aßp.ut, f.our miles fiflm the city;,, .was burnt dorfn. It .was- a wooden house containing about 30 rooms, and was built in the eaxly days of the province by Mr Watts Russell, a meanbor of the Provincial Council. It Was occupied at one time by Mr Leonard Harper, subsequently by Mr Patrick Campbell, and lately has becta the residence of the Countess de Fresnedo. The Coun^ toss is in' Sydney, and a caretaker was m charge. Last might he was wakened about 4 a.m. by the- fire and had only time to gather. a few clothes alid escape. Nothing, was saved. The house tfas insured in the Commercial Union for £2000, but it is not. kndwh what- amount was on'- the furniture.