DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3520, 9 January 1886, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

FIRE AT GERALDINE. Between 1' 30 and 12 o'clock on Thursday night a fire broke out m tho block of buildings occupied by Mr M. Connolly and Mr W. Lawson, and had got snob a hold that all hopes of earing them were given up. When sufficient help arrived on the erea? special

attention was given to tho other buildings near, and it was with the utmost difficulty that tbe fire was arrested m its progress. The Crown Hotel, which ia on the opposite side of the street, was at one time m imminent danger. Some of the large panes m the wind- ws were broken by tbe intense heat, and the woodwork m front was nearly on fire, but a constant application of water, and the drizz ing ruin, together with the still night, saved tbe hotel from being burnt. Had it caught fire nothing could have saved the block of buildings occupied by Mr Look, Mr Lloyd, Mr Lodge and Mr Morriß«n. Fart of the building occupied by Mr Lawson was built of brick and cob, but the partitions and the frontage on Talbot street were of wood, and when he was told that tho front part of tbe building was on fire he at once removed his children to s> place of safety He bad not, however, timo 'o get their clothes as the fire spread too rapidly. However, a good part of hia furniture was got out of tho brick building, but he lost everything connected with his butchering business, including two valuable fausage machines which cost nearly £50. Mr Lawson was not insured, therefore he loses very heavily. Mr Connolly had a very heavy stock m at the time, which was totally destroyed, and he'nearly lost bis Ufe m the attempt to get his books. He had them strapped together, and knowing where to put his hands upon them, he rushed into tho burning building, but when he emerged therefrom, he fell on the footpath, exhausted from s ffocation. There was no one sleeping on Mr Connolly's premises at the time, and there is not the slightest thing to iniicate how the fire originated, beyond tbat they were swarming with rats, 'lho buildings «ere insured m the National for £300, and Mr Connolly's stock, etc., was insured m the same office for £300, but he had increased his stork during the last fortnight. He loses heavily by tbo fire

(By Telegraph.) Auckland, Jan. 8. The town has been surrounded by a bank of smoke all day. It is supposed to be the result of a bush fire at Stewart's bush, Helensville, which has been burning for the past few days. At first it tended rather to improre the land for clearing, but on its spreading last night towards some out timber and young kauri trees efforts were made o prevent their destrnnti >n. Navy Plymouth, Jan. 8. A special telegram to the Taranaki Herald <ays Midhurat ia m danger and requ sting more help from New Plymouth. A special train is required to get the women and c il dren into town. Although trie Mayor applied at noon yesterday for a special train to go to Stratford no permission was received by th» station master to run one till nearly five o'clock. The railway authorities are condemned right and left for the obstruction they have put m the way of .sending relief The extent of the firo is four miles towards the mountains, fire miles inland, twelve mile* towards Huwera, and two miles towards Ingle■wood. Two or threo premises near Midhurat (a town three miles from Stratford) have also been burnt. The destruction to property amounts to fully £10,000. The fire is said to have commenced afiesh this morning at Midhurat. There are no signs of rain, although the glass is fulling here The people at Stratford oould not understand why no help came from New Plymouth. The railway authorities here could not be stirred, and the Fire Brigade had to wait till the regular 4 p.m. train went. ,A public meeting was hold here at noon today for the purpose of arranging to provide for the burnt out sufferers at Stratford. The meeting was largely attended, and over £300 was subscri ed m tho room. A special train goes at one o'clock for Vlidhurst with a large force of volunteer help. Inglewood, about ten mi ca from Midburst, is all right at present. The Fire Brigade are at .Vlidhurst. Wellington, Jan. 8. The following are tho latest telegrams furnished by the Taranaki Herald's special reporter, who is on the spot : Stbatfobd, Jan. 8, 3 p.m. The fire has just invested Midhurßt, having advanced terrifically. Tho New Plymouth Fire Brigade are nearly exbausto i. A tremendouß fire is raging near the Hawera Sash and D or Factory sawmills, and tboy appear doomed. A special train is much wanted to be at the disposal of Skinners volunteers, and it should be available all night. Succour to th» relief party might be required. Tho railway arrangements tiro simply inhuman. "Wo left detach mem s at Taranaki Road and Waipuku, and as tho train would not pasß Midburst I pushed on here on horseback, ttobinson's bouse at Midhurat was on fire, but by heroulean efforts was extinguished. A fresh south-easter is blowing, and the country ia enveloped m » dense cloud of smoke. The heat boa been terrific ut Midhurst. The people hare been lying m the gutters since 9 o'clock to get out of the smoke. 3.30 p.m. The fires are reviving around St atford, and if the wind freshens there will be a greater calamity to report. Mr Marchant Buys there is danger of the whole bush country being swept away. His opinion is that tho fire has only made a commencement, lilthum, Ngaire and Inglewood so far are safe, but it is impossible to say what may happen. A tremendous bush fire is raging at Waingongora, eil miles at the back of Stratford. Midhurst, 4 p.m. The condition of things is unchanged. The New Plymouth Sash and Door Company's j mill at Ngaire is so far safe. Arrangements h .ye been made for taking out the moveablo machinery if necessary. The manager's houde is full of refugees. The Taranaki Herald's correspondent at Inglewood telegraphs .- — '' There is no danger at present at Inglewood. There are no fire* m tbe township ; all is quiet ; but the wind is still blowing from »tratf rd a little freshly. Dhe Mayor of Auckland has telegraphed to the Mayor of New Plymouth that he sympathises with him m the great trouble, and askn if a little assistance would be acceptable. Mr Paul bus replied that any assistance would bo thankfully received, as a large number of settlers are destitute, having bod the whole of their things burnt. Subscription lists have been started, and include four names of £25 each. Mr C. C. Mann, the London partner of, Mr Arch. Clarke and Sons, of Auckland (who has travelled from Napier to liere), has subscribed £10, Mr Devenish Hears, of Chmk-hurch, £5 ss, and Mr Govett, Wellington, £2 2s. Subscriptions are coining m from all parts of the colony, and being received at the Herald office. Hawbha, Jan. 8. A telegram received here states that there is danger of an outbreak of fire at Eltham, and that Midhurat also is m danger. No casualties are as yet reported at either place. Advices from Stratford report that tbe fires have not revived, but all is blackness and desolation for miles. All fences have gone, and the settlers' cattle have got away into the back country, their recovery being almost hopeless. Mopt of the homeless who wero brought to Hawera were moved to New Plymouth, but some who are badly injured remain behind under medical treatment. A subscription list has been started m Hawera, and tbo ladies m Hawera and Manaia aro busy making clothes for the people, most of whom are penniless »nd naked Ghbistohubch, Jan. 8. By a firo at West Melton yesterday considerable damage was done. It is supposed to have been caused by some person carelessly throwing down a lighted match m a gorge hedge. M uch eattlo feed Lbs been destroyed, •which can ill bo spared m this dry season. An eld man asleop m a wooden shanty had a narrow escape for his life. He would not liavo been saved, had not some of those ■working to subdue the firo used tho greatestoiertions. After a Bevero battle for over three hours the fire was got under.