OLD CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20073, 9 October 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

OLD CHRISTCHURCH.

High Street, Sixty Years Ago:

TIE Oil Hi NEW Wi HUS

EARTHQUAKE AND RRE.

sARLY HISTORY RECALLED.

The above pbotogranh shows a per-ti.-m of High Street in 1860, on part of the site now occupied by' Strange and Co! and Ashby Bergh and Co., f-td. The most prominent building was the “ new ” town hall, the quaint-loolc-ing structure adjoining on the left being the “old’’ town hall, and subse-

n neatly a Mechanics’ Institute and Library. Next to that, at the extreme loft, '.vas a small fruit shop kept) by one named Stewart. “Melbourne House” formed the business premises of S. and H. Masholski, ironmongers, and I. Merman, jeweller. Adjoining was the saloon of “ Professor ” Itowbottom, hairdresser. ' The “now” town hall was severely shaken by an earthquake, and on Apr.l 2, 1873, waa destroyed by fire, tin “ old ” town ball also being seriously damaged by the flames. An account of the outbreak makes quaint rend in y to the present .generation. It is told how the “new” town hall was occupied bv G. L. Benth, draper, who had from £2OOO to £3OOO worth of drapery and other stock on the premises. • The fire was noticed first by a stranger at about 10 p.m., and he rang the firebell to call the Lichfield Street station. Apparently, he was unaware of the correct method of summoning the br;gado, ringing the bell intermittently instead of persistently, and delay " ensued. The Market Place (Victoria Square) alarm bell ;wus also set going.

and n large crowd assembled, but see- i mg no flames, about, it was con- 1 eluded that some burning go v se hedge 1 in the vicinity must have been tfie i cause of the alarm, and “they stroi- ; led leisurely to High Street.” On 1 reaching the scene of the fire they | showed considerable enthusiasm and I energy, even the reporter being affected, judging by hi.s rapturous desoription of the spectacle presented when j the roof of the building fell in. | Apparently the loss of. the “ new ” town hall was not whole-heartedly regretted, a.s we .are told that film I building had been condemned, and the shareholders would be ’.veil satisfied with the returns from the insurance companies. The “old” town hall was “ better out of the way.” It was emphasised also that the "cause of the fire could not have been occidental. Finally, after ardent compliments to the firemen and police for their efforts, it was comraoufed that the outbreak ' wae notable because there- was “so • marked an absence of the confusion. ' and the wholesale sacking of tpremisoa by injudicious helper.--, widen have been too often the case in Christchurch.”