LAST NIGHT'S FIRE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1605, 2 August 1861, Page 5

LAST NIGHT'S FIRE.

Last night about half-past 9, the warehouses of Mr. Flyger, in Farish Street, Te Aro, were discorered to be on fire. With a mure than even usual promptitude the Church and other bells gave warning to the townspeople, who speedily concentrated at the •scene of conflagration. The Engines of the Liverpool and London, and 'that which the Northern gave to the Government, speedily arrived and went l&t once efficiently to work. The military vengine and several large parties of soldiery came down at the double, and the

spips water tauk belonging to Mr Wills was quickly manned. Chains of buckets wore formed and the utmost exertions used to prevent the fire spreading. Providentially too night was perfectly calm and the only wind was that caused by the intense heat of the burning mass. About half-past 1 1 the fire was got under, though the mass of smouldering ruins i roquired continued attention throughout i the entire night, aud this morning the engines are still at work. 1 The cause of the fire is unknown, but it commenced iv .the back of Flyger'3 warehouse, and the Custom House adjoining was only saved by the constant ; play of one of the engines. Mr.-Carkeek 1 who was very early on the spot, directed the removal of the books and papers to Messrs Duncan & Vennell's stores, from whence they have been restored this morning. The flames from Flyger's warehouse at last took hold of Messrs Johnston & Co.'s middle store and shortly after the Candle factory of Mr. Phillips caught and burnt with great fierceness. Two or three cases of ammunition in Johnston & Co.'s stores exploded, and from the iron store adjoining abount Iwenty more were gallantly removed. Some sheds and a store belonging to Mr. Martin were pulled down, by which means the progress of the fire was greatly stopped as an engine was thereby enabled to keep the surfaces of the neighbouring buildings deluged with water. The Oriental Bank and the whole block of stores belonging to Mr. Martin were saved only by the greatest exertions, aided by the check which Johnston and Co.'s iron store offered. Meanwhile the Store and Countinghouse of this latter firm fronting the harbour was partially razed, but the greater portion of it catching fire the premises of Messrs. Bethune & Hunter were in the most imminent danger. They had previously been much exposed, and from the flakes which fell around them, during the whole, time the fire was ragin g, th ey would probably have been early ignited, notwithstanding their corrugated iron defences if they had not been kept wet by blankets aud Will's tauk engine. The effortof the militaryto raze Johnston & Co.'s front store while the fire was raging in it, is beyond all praise, as on the extinguishment of the fire there now rested the seourity of the Custom House and the provention of the conflagration spreading in the direction of Bethuno & Hunter's. At this juncture a slight air blew the flames seaward, aud by half-past 1 1 no immediate fear of their further spreading was entertained. We hear this morning that Flyger's warehouse was insured but none of the stock. Johnston & Co.'s premises and stock were both iusured ; but Phillips* candle factory is a total loss, the policy having dropped on the 24th June and not since reuewed. This loss is principally Mr. Martin's; the destruction of whose out-store and sheds is happily covered. All the Insurances are effected in the Liverpool aud London. x From several adjoining stores books and goods were removed, and the Oriental Bank's effects were placed iv charge, of the Union. It would be invidious to mention only some of the names of thoso who distinguished themselves by their efforts last night — wherever there was work to do there were plenty ofhands to do it, and all whose services were wanted readily gave them ; from the highest to. the lowest. But it would be discourteous in the highest degree to pass over without special nolice, the sevices of the military. Major Dwyer was seen everywhere, and, by his coolness and calm attention to the suggestions that were made to him by those who knew (he locality of the points of danger, was enabled to give the most judicious commauds. His Officers worked not only with a will, bat with that kind of daring which is so effectual in stimulating those under them with out leading them to be foolhardy. The men of the 1 4th, who more particularly came under our notice were those stationed near to Johnston & Cos. front store, and as the exertions of other parties were no doubt equally effective in their respective stations, we have great reason to be thankful that the town has so efficient a protection. The French rnan-•of-war sent help, which we are sure will bo highly appreciated. The Agent of the Liverpool and London. Mr. Bowler, and Mr. Benjamin Smith of the Northern, who were both present, will not we hope be slow to acknowledge the as- : sistance rendered by all classes, civil aud military. We ought to mention that Dr. Kebbell, Inspector Atchison, and Mr. Wills were mainly in charge of the hoses of the three civil engines, and that the Deputy Supertendent and Mr. Woodward were among the foremost in rendering advice and assistance. We regret to hear that Mr. Boddinglon and a soldier received severe hurts ; otherwise with the exception of a few sprains, no accidents took place. We shall for the next month hear much talk about Fire Brigades ; we hope — almost against hope — that it will not end in mere talk ; but as an incentive to do something, we cannot omit to mention that had we not to express thankfulness for the Providential stillness of last night, there is every reason to fear that the fire would have crossed Man-ners-street, where, from the want of water, it would have rnged almost unchecked. These repeated lessons ought to teach us wisdom.