ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1607, 9 August 1861, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.

We have to record several items under this head, this month, some of them destructive of much valuable property, and one of tnem of two lives. Fire at Kai Warra.*— On Tuesday the 30th July, about 10 o'clock, the villa residence known as Loxley Hall Kai -warra, was discovered to be on fire, and in a very short time was reduced to a heap of ashes. The property, formerly belonging to Mr. Loxley, had recently changed hands, Mr. Pickering beiug the purchaser. The premises were unoccupied at the time. The Insurance effected in the Liverpool and .London Company covers the loss. The building burnt so rapidly that no engine arrived in time to be of any use ; but a boat's crew from the Frenoh man-of-war Dorade was present and did all that was in their power. Fire at Tb Aro.— On Thursday night the Ist Augast at about half-past 9, the warehouses of Mr. Flyger, in Farish Street, Te Aro, were discovered to he on fire. With a more 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 whioh the Northern gave to the Government, speedily arrived-and went at onoe efficiently to work. The military engine and several large parties of sol 7 diery came down at tbe double, and the ships water lank belonging to Mr Wills was quickly manned. Chains of buckets were formed and the utmo3t exertions used to prevent the fire spreading. Providentially the night was perfectly calm and the only wind was that caused by the intense heat of the burning mass. About half-past 11 the fire was got under, though the mass of smouldering ruins required continued attention throughout the entire night, and part of the next day. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it commenced in the back of Flyger's warehouse," and the Custom House adjoining was oni} saved by the constant play of one of the engines. Mr. Carkeck 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'sback warehouse at last took hold of Messrs Johnston & Co.'s middle stoi;e and shortly after the Candle faotory of Mr. Phillips. caught and burnt with great fieroeness.;Two or three eases of ammunition; in. Johnston & Co.'s stores exploded} ahd from the iron store adjoining abount twenty more were gallantly removed. Some ,-heds aud a store belonging to Mr. Martin were pulled down, by whioh 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 aud tbe wbole 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 ia tne most imminent danger.

They had previously been muoh exposed, aud from the flakes which fell around them, during the whole time the fire was raging, they would probably have been early ignited, notwithstanding their-corru-gated iron defences if they had not been kept wet by blankets and Will's, tank engine. The effort of the mililarytoraze 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 security of the Custom House and the provention of the conflagration spreading in the direction of Bethune & Hunter's. At this juncture a slight air blew the flames seaward, and by half-past 1 1 no immediate fear of their further spreading was entertained. We hear this morning that Flyger's warehouse were insured|butnone of the stock. Johnston & Co.'s premises and stock were both insured ; but Phillips' candle factory is a total loss, the policy having dropped on the 24th June and not since renewed. 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 and

London. From several adjoining stores books and goods were removed, and the Oriental Bank's effects were placed in charge of the Union. The Bank itself was only saved by the resistance offered by Johnston & Co.'s iron store adjoining. It would be invidious to mention only some of the names of those who distinguished themselves by their efforts last night— wherever there was work to do tbere were plenty of hands to do it, and all whose services were wanted readily gave them ; from tbe highest to the lowest. But it would be discourteous in the highest degree to pass over without special notice, the sevices 6f the military. Major Dwyer was seen everywhere; aud, by his coolness aud calm attention to the suggestions that were made to him by those who knew the locality of the points of danger, was enabled to give the most judicious commands. His Officers^ worked not only with a will, bat with that" kind of daring which is so effectual in stimulating those under them without leading them to be foolhardy. The men of the 14lh, who more particularly came under our notice were those stationed near to Johnston A Cos. front store, aud 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 man--of-war sent help, which we are sure will be highly appreciated. The Agent of the Liverpool and London Mr. Bowler, and Mr. Benjamin Smith of the Northern, wln> were both present, will not we hope be slow to acknowledge the assistance rendered by all classes, civil and military. We ought to mentiou 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. Boddington and a soldier received severe hurts ; otherwise wilh the exception of a few spraius, no accidents took place.

Nor can we 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 raged almost unchecked. Deaths by Dbowmnji.— -A melancholy accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death of two persons by drowning. Mr. Macmanarain, his daughter, and his mother in-law, Mrs. Wilkins, were going off in a boa. to the schooner Tyne, when on nearing tbat vessel, a squall struck tbe boat, she went over, and all in her were immersed in the water. The accident being observed from the Earl of Mar and Kellie, a boat was instantly lowered, and sent to their assistance. The Tyne also despatched a boat. Mr. Macmanamin and Mrs. Wilkins were picked up by tbe Earl of Mar Kellie's boat and conveyed immediately on •ibore. They went taken to the Custom house, where every means where adopted to restore animation by Mr.* Carkeek, Dr. Williams, and othergentlemen present. They wert afterwards removed to Mcintosh's New Zealander Hotel, when Drs Kebbell, Johnston, Taylor, and others exerted themselves to the utmost to restore animation ; but we regret lo s.tate, without effect. Mrs. Wilkins partially rullied ; but ultimately died from exhaustion. The girl and the boatmen were picked up and saved. An inquest was held on the bodies, a report of which willbe found in another column, Mr. Macmanamin was one of our earliest settlers, he was highly respected by all who knew hira, and his death is deeply regretted by a large circle of friends.

Accident to PlimxUer's Wharf. — Dining tbe afternoon of tbe 16th July, the seaward half of this wharf suddenly fell into the water in consequence of some of the piles having given way. There was a large quanlity of timber waiting shipment, but no persons were on it at tbe time. ,i

Swinbournes Wharf. — This wharf being in a most dangerous condition, has been closed to the public, and tbe local steamers have liow no. wharf alongside which they can moor. A •Selling Arms to the Natives. — The Government reward of £300 is likely to prove use* ful in preventing this class of crime. One case has been brought before the Besident Magistrate here, but as the Arms Act of last Session requires that the information should be laid by an officer appointed by the Governor, and no snch officer baying been appointed, the case was not gone into. The offender, a young man named McCoy, has been apprehended under another Act, and the complaint will be heard on Saturday. Dbat, Accident. — We regret to record an accident to one of Mr. Hastwell*. drays in the Wairarapa, resulting in the loss of fire bullocks. A fortnight ago as the loaded dray was crossing the Wai Nawa it got into a hole and capsized. Four or five persons were with the team, and althoug erery assistance was rendered and tbe driver uearly lost his life, only three out of the eight bullocks were rescued, the remainder being ,

drowned. This loss is a severe on to Mr. Hastwtll and aU who know him will deeply regret his misfortune. Good working bullocks such as tbese, are worth from £12 to £15 a piece.