OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 24

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE WELLINGTON FIRE. The great fire at Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.’s establishment in the Empire city is the third occasion on which the fire fiend has wrought devastation to the firm's property. In 1892 the firm underwent great loss through a serious fire in Christchurch, and seven years later its Auckland business similarly suffered. A chemical bomb weighing 301 b was shot from the burning building when the explosions were in progress through the roof cf the warehouse or Messrs Macky, Caldwell and Stein in Harbour-street, making a big rent which was being repaired this morning. Smoke issued all day from the burning pile, and fitful flames burst from the ceiling and rafters from between the floorings and in piles of debris. Many of the large warehouses and business premises in the vicinity of the fire sustained a considerable amount of damage by the breaking of windows, which were blown in by the force of chemical explosions. Foreman Woolcott, of the fire brigade, who had charge of the operations in the absence of Superintendent Hugo at Auckland, had lost his voice this morning, and had three times changed his clothing. Not only the firemen, but the dense crowd which assembled in the vicinity of the fire had a narrow' escape from experiencing the effects of a tremendous explosion from some 40 large barrels of methylated spirits stored on the ground floor in the south-eastern corner of the building. Altogether 17 leads of water were playing upon the building at the same time. Had the fire occurred during the recent drought, or had the wind blown with anything like its force this afternoon, there must have been a terrible devastation to chronicle. One immense column of smoke which shot up and spread itself over the city like a huge cloud, first an ominous black then gradually whitening, and finally dashed with an angry red, could be seen, it is asserted, 70 miles away at sea. The insurances on the building, the stock, and the fixtures and fittings total £35,900, as shown in the following figures in the official list:— Buildings: Liverpool, London and Globe, £1000; National, £1650: New Zealand, £1000; North British, £500; Roval, £2000; Standard, £500; United, £350: total. £7OOO. Stock: Alliance, £3000; Commercial Union, £3000; Guardian, £2500; Law, Union and Crown, £1000; Liverpool, London and Globe. £2000; National, £350, and a special line of £200; New Zealand, £3500; North British, £5OO. and a special line of £100; North Queensland, £2000; Norwich Lhiion, £3000; Royal, £1750; United, £400; Lloyd’s, £3600: total, £26,900. Fixtures and fittings: Law, Union and Crown, £500; Liverpool, London and Globe. £1000; Manchester, £500: total, £ 2000. ST. MARY’S WOMEN’S HOME. The dedication of the Women’s Home at Otahuhu last w'eek was well attended,