CABLE HOUSE FIRE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14307, 1 June 1914, Page 5

CABLE HOUSE FIRE.

VERY HEAVY LOSS,

CAUSE OF OUTBREAK A MYSTERY

(Per United Prers Association.) NELSON, Juno 1. The cable station at Wakapuaka was burned to the ground at three o clock tliis morning. . Tiny fire when discovered had a good liold, and- Hi was seen to bo impossible to save'the office. Attention was then turned'’ to ilio “Bungalow, one of two buildjngs used by the staff as quarters. This was only nine or ten feet from the <jffice, ,und soon caught fire and was also totally destroyed. The staff oy splendid work with'the meagre appliances', managed to Say&'the building used as quarters. Tho paint on both thoso buildings was badlv scorched and blistered. Thofo -whs' an anxious time until safetv was assured. : XhO'loSs was very heavy, as only part of one cable instruments (there were dire") was saved. Another big item was the destruction of some hundred miles of artificial lipn- , < ... It is hoped to restore communication with Sydney and Wellington, or Nelson, to-day, as. .{here is a spare set of instruments kept in place on the beach. The cause of the outbreak is a complete mystery. The staff did great work. The Quarters building destroyed was oeeuniod by six of the sta.ff the others occupying the larger building. INSTRUMENTS WELL INSURED. NELSON, Juno 1. Tho cable buildings destroyed were tho property of the Government. Tho company’s instruments were valued at between £2OOO and £3OOO, and were well insured. Communication with Svdnoy from tho shore office is practically established. The Te|egraph Douartment is arranging communication between Nelson and Wellington.