THE TERRIBLE FIRE AT HAWERA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue X, 7 September 1895, Page 287

THE TERRIBLE FIRE AT HAWERA.

ONE of the most disastrous fires that has occurred in the colony took place in Hawera in the small hours of Friday morning. Our picture represents the fire at its most destructive period, when it seized on the splendid new post office just finished, and which was to have been opened for business in about a week's time. No less than seventeen buildings were burned down, and worst of all two lives were lost —Mr Caverhill, manager of the Waitara Freezing Works, and Mr Tourner, architect and builder, having been burned to death before they could escape from the Egmont Hotel. Poor Caverhill was only stopping there for the night. He was, too, a married man, so his terrible death is even sadder than that of Mr Tourner, who was, like Mr Caverhill, extremely popular. The fire appears to have originated through the falling of a kerosene lamp. The gale blowing at the time caused the flame to spread with terrible rapidity. The scene during the fire was one of surpassing splendour. The sky was lighted up for miles around, and in the streets it was as light as day. The huge volumes of fire-coloured smoke and tongues of flame shooting up in to the sky from roofs and windows gave a terrible magnificence to a picture that will live long in the eyes of those who saw it. A portrait is given of poor Mr Caverhill who was burned to death. In Auckland the news created a profound sensation amongst all those who had been brought into contact with him. As manager of the Auckland Freezing Works Mr Caverhill made many friends, and certainly few enemies. If he made any, they must have been well made. He was a thoroughly good, reliable man, and won the respect and confidence of all who had dealings with him. His death in such a sudden and terrible manner will be deeply regretted not only by his personal friends, whose names were legion, but amongst the still greater number who have met him as a business man, and learned to like and respect him as a conscientious and upright one. A few particulars concerning the new post-office so disastrously destroyed will be read with interest. It was erected entirely by co-operative labour (from plans prepared by the Public Works Department) under the superintendence of Mr R. Wilson, an inspector of public works. It was commenced about the New Year, and practically finished a couple of months sines. Some little delay, however, took place with respect to a portion of the internal fittings, but it would probably have been opened for public business early in September. The timber and joinery work were obtained from Mr George Symes Egmont Sash and Door Factory, Hawera. The budding had a frontage of 48ft., and was 56ft. deep (exclusive of

out-offices, etc.) It was a two storey structure, with imposing tower, the height to the eave being 29ft., and to the top of the finule 62ft. There was an entrance porch of 15ft. by Bft., with box lobby, 18ft. by Bft. on the left, and public office, 12ft. by 25ft. 6in. on the right At the rear of these, a very fine mail room, 34ft, by 32ft., and immediately behind that the telegraph operators and instrument room 34ft. by 16ft. There were also telephone room 12ft. by 6ft., stationery room (with safe 7ft. by 4ft.), 12ft. by 12ft., and Postmaster's room, 12ft. by 12ft. On the first floor the Stock Department had accommodation with a frontage of 18ft. tin. by 14ft., and the Public Trust Office of iSft. 3m. by 14ft.; the former having another room at rear, 18ft. tin. by toft., and the latter a similar room, and also one Bft. by 9ft. The total cost of construction was about The following is an extract from a private letter from a resident in Hawera to a friend in Auckland :—

A fierce gale was blowing when I retired. When I was awakened I sleepily imagined the confused roaring and crackling was part of the storm. I was speedily undeceived by a terrific banging at my door. M\ neighbour was shouting, * Get up! get up ! the Egmont Hotel is on fire!’ I hurriedly threw on my clothes and escaped into the street. It was a grand, but awful sight as through every window and from the roof shot the hungry tongues of flame and huge volumes of smoke. The unfortunate proprietor was running about with tears streaming down his face enquiring for Caverhill and Tourner, and exclaiming, *My God, they are lost ! My God, they are lost!’ The Commercial people stood looking at the Egmont Hotel burning, and no effort was made to prevent the fire spreading until too late. The firemen did not make an attempt to save it. Had they, in the first place, concentrated their efforts on the Commercial, not only would it have been saved, but the new Post Office, the new Court House, minor shops, and the Star office would have been preserved. It was an awful blunder Fortunately for the town Newcomb and Massey’s big brick wall, situated between the Egmont and themselves stopped the flames from spreading into the business part of the town. Had it not been for this wall, Hawera would have been in ruins to-day. The Commercial was soon consumed, and the fire spread to Parrington’s new shop. From there, it rushed to the ne.-r Post-office. The firemen worked hard to save it, but a bucket would have been of more use than the toy fire-engine they used. It was foredoomed, and the firemen left it and rushed down and tried to save the Star Office. Ardour and heroism availed nothing, for it, too, was soon a mass of flames. The new Borough Chambers was then in danger, and was only saved by efforts of the firemen and citizens. The scene was grand beyond description. Gibson’s Hotel was, by sheer pluck and hard labour, saved. Wet blankets nung by men from all windows and from the roof saved it from ruin.

Our pictures are from photos taken by Mr B. Schmidt, to whom our thanks are due for promptness in forwarding them.