THE LATE FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 758, 27 October 1870, Page 4

THE LATE FIRE.

At twenty minutes past twelve at midnight yesterday the fire-bell rangout again, and a good number of volunteers turned out. The wind at the time was blowing heavily from the N.W., carrying showers of sparks on to the roofs of the remaining buildings. The stores of Messrs Macpherson, Cuff, and Matheson's, together with the Colonists' Hall, were thus placed in great jeopardy, and steps were taken to quench the now blazing ruins. After some delay the hose was attached to the engine, and it was set to work ; but the number of men employed was not sufficient to force the water up to the spot, so that this work had to be abandoned. A gang of volunteers was then formed, and buckets having been obtained from the railway, the flames were speedily extinguished. Men were then appointed to patrol the town, casks and buckets of water having been placed in good positions in case of need. Messrs Webb, Packard, and Cuff, and many others were very energetic on this occasion. Yesterday morning a gang of men, under the direction of the foreman of works belonging to the Municipal Council, commenced pulling down the chimneys and walls of the houses destroyed ; another gang of prisoners, under the direction of Mr Jones, commenced clearing out the gullies in case of wet weather ensuing ; another gang, under Mr Martindale, got the engine into working order, and commenced to play upon the smouldering heap of grain opposite the back of the Custom-house and on Norwich Quay belonging to Messrs Dalgety and Co. Already stores are springing up, and in the course of a few days no doubt there will be a great number of temporary buildings erected. Many of those who were burned out have found shelter with their more fortunate neighbours ; and, as nearly all the wells and tanks in the town are dry, the Government have made arrangements to supply water to all who need it. The Bank of New Zealand have removed their premises to near Mr Kenner's, Norwich Quay. Yesterday a large number of persons from Christchurch went to view the ruins, amongst whom we noticed his Honor the Superintendent, the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr Richardson, Mr M. B. Hart, and others, who have been most unremitting in their endeavours to mitigate the distress. The Committee appointed to distribute the Relief Fund, attended at the Colonists' Hall yesterday, and dispensed the food and other articles so liberally provided ; a large amount of clothing was also distributed to destitute children. We are informed that the chief want to he supplied is clothing for women and children, and it is suggested that contributions should be forwarded to the City Council Chambers. At 5 o'clock yesterday all fears of any further outbreak were allayed, the engine which had been playing on the debris all day having completely quenched the burning embers. Captain Gibson and Mr Webb were indefatigable in superintending the men employed, and also in seeing that all who required it were provided with food. The amount we mentioned yesterday will not cover the loss, as we did not take into account Dalgety's Bond, filled with bonded goods, the loss of which will fall upon the owners. A special committee meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council was held yesterday, when Councillor Allwright was appointed to act in conjunction with the committee appointed by His Honor the Superintendent to relieve the distressed. Mr H. C. LaNauze was appointed Secretary to the committee. During Tuesday and Wednesday over 2000 persons, in excess of the ordinary traffic, went through from Christchurch to view the ruins of the destroyed buildings. The Provincial Government continued yesterday to send necessaries through to the sufferers, bedding and furniture from Wr A. J. White's forming no inconsiderable portion of the contiibutioos.