GREAT FIRE AT PALMERSTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 2696, 13 March 1875, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT PALMERSTON

(From our own Correspondent.)

Palmerston, March 12

A disastrous tire occurred here this morning, whereby Mi-3srs Aianson and (Jo's, saw-mill was entirely destroyed. Tht: fire must have been burning some time before the alarm was given — about 4 o'clock — for on his arrival at the mill Mr Mansou found that the framework of the vertical saw, and the break-ing-down bench were in fiatnes. Attempts were m .de o .subdue the tire with buckets of water from the well on the premises. Before any impression,, however, could be made on it the flames caught the roof, which, b.'ing exceedingly dry, burned with great rapidity, and the intense heat drove the mea from the well. Jttecourse was then had to those of Messrs Lin ton and Deards, some qnai:ter of a mile away. With the water thus obtained endeavours were madeto save the engine, by encasingit in wet blanket-, which were kept constanoly saturated. This was, however, a very difficult task, owing to the great heat. By half-past 4 the whole shed was completely consumed. The next anxiety was to save the timber — some 50,000 or 60,000 feet of which lay in dangerous proximity to the burning mass. The chances of the timber catching were augmented by the fact that a large pile of wood used for the engine fire, and which h.id early become ignited, now formed an immense body of tire to windward of it. Fortunately there was very little wind at the time, and the well-directed exertions of the employes and the neighbours who had assembled in good force, soon placed it out of danger. Had there been even a moderate breeze, every stick of it must have been consumed. So rapid was the progress of the flames that scarcely anything could be saved. The only conjecture as to the origin of the fire, that 1 have heard, is thab a spark from the chimney must have fallen among the litter lying about the vertical saw. I regret to say that the premises were in-' sured to oniy a very trifling amouno, in the fe'outh British.

The tin-, which represents a money loss to the proprietor of over £2000, will prove a serious loss to Palmerston also. The inconvenience it will entail will be felt for a long time, as at the present moment there is a very large amount of building, either in progress or for which tenders have beeij called or contracts entircd into, and the two mills now in operation will be literally unable to supply the demand for local use, as well as for export. This great loss should impress upon mill owne-s the necessity — or at the least the desirability — of havii<g a good deep well sunk at some little distance from their sheds, aud on what would generally be the windward side ; together with a force

pump and a t'e-v feet of small hose. Had such appliances been at hand in this instance, there is no doubt that the mill would have been saved.