The Late Fire in Wellington.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2037, 2 March 1887, Page 2

The Late Fire in Wellington.

In addition to the particulars given in our last issue, the following estimate of losses will be interesting, which we take from the Post:—

Messrs Laery & Campbell’s building cost about £6OOO, and was practically new, while their fixtures end stock are estimated to bare been worth £3300. Messrs Kennedy Macdonald & Co.’s building, which belonged to the estate of the late Mr George Crawford, cost about £2OOO in all. Mr Macdouald estimated his firm's loss at £3OOO in excess of the amount of insurance. As Messrs Johnston & Co.'s bonded store has not yet been thoroughly examined the firm ate unable to estimate their actual loss. It is, however, believed that the insurances will fully recoup them for the damage sustained. Mr Shannon estimates that his firm's stock was approximately worth £45,000 or £IB,OOO in excess of the insurances. The warehouse originally cost about £9400. apart from the recent expenditure in adapting it for the retail trade, all the internal fittings being of the best Sydney cedar. The machinery in the clothing factory was all removed from the premises, and probably £2OO worth of damage was tbns occasioned. Mr Huxley loses about £BOO, in addition to the amount covered by insurance. Mr Maginnity’s vaults had just been filled with new goods released from bond, and he intended to have taken stock this week. His loss cannot be less than £I7OO beyond insurances. Mr Barraud believes that be has suffered to the extent of about £800: Messrs Parker & Co.’s loss is confined to that occasioned in the hasty handling of goods, and by the encroachment of the fire into the show room. Messrs It. Gardner and Co., ironmongers, had about £2OO worth of goods in a shed at the rear of Parker and Co’s premises, which is occasionally used temporarily to accommodate any overplus of stock for which room cannot be found in the warehouse. The greater portion of the contents were saved, and the loss does not exceed £SO. These goods were not insured. £IOO will cover Edward and Green’s total loss. Clarke’s boarding house was the property of Messrs Wilson and Kichardsou. Mrs Clarke loses about £SO from damage to the contents. Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Barton are sufferers to the extent of about £3OO beyond the insurance. The other buildings in the block were not materially damaged.

Shortly after the outbreak was discovered to be serious, the Nelson’s men put off for the shore completely equipped for rendering efficient service They brought with them two hand engines, 640 ft of hose, an eleotiio batteiy, with all tho necessary appliances for working it, aud a quantity of gun onttou (to enable them to blow up buildings if requited), axes, dL-o. The murines were stationed in position where their services wete most revolted to keep hack the crowd, and they looked very formidable as they stood on guard with their rifles with fixed bayonets. The hand engines were not immediately brought into play, as tho blue jackets found

ample employment at first in working the old manual engines .of the corporation, and otherwise assisting the Brigade, hut later on they manned their own engines, aud brought a considerable volume of sea water to hear on the flames. It was owing to the exeitious of Midshipmen Gurner mid Cay, aud 14 or 15 Bailors under them that Messrs Johnston’s nonded warehouse aud offices were not totally destroyed. When it was found that there was no further danger of the fire spreading in any direction the sailors and marines were recalled, and as they formed into line on Featherston titreet the oia. or called lot three cheers for Commsndcr Hamilton, and three (or the men, and the citizens present responded in the heartiest manner to the call. The enthusiasm on the part of the spectators, awakened by the gilnmt behaviour aud systen.mio operations of the blue jacket*, was beyond description. V/.irui tueomums upou the smartness of the t“>' "ere passed from mi nth to mou'h, and nmny nu ey« kindled wnh a glow of pride ihut told oven more eloquently than woids, of jtho appn elation generally entertained c l t ieir m.ichiuedike movements.