FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1972, 17 October 1888, Page 3

FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE

GREAT DAMAGE THE INMATES 6AFE. NO INSURANCE, (PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Chbistchukoh. October 16. A most disastrous fire has occurred at Sunnyaide Lunatio Asylum. The con--1 agration is still (lpm) raging jSercely, and it ib impossible* to say whit extent cf damage wi 1 ultimately have to be recorded, but the whole of the western wins: baa already been destroyed, which involves a loss of thousands of pounds worth of public properly. The place is about three miles out of Chria! church on I the Lincoln Boad, and information oe to the' progceßs of the fir<», therefore, only reaches town at intervals. The fire broke out shortly before 11 a.m m the women's ward of the western wing. This is situated m the older portion of the building which is of very large extent, and has been added to from time to time. When the last news came m it was very doubtful whether the beautiful new recreation hall, opened quite la eiy. woujd be saved. The patients were all got out o£ the way directly the alarm was given, and no panic has occurred among them Much might bave been done to save the pace had the people at the Aeylum sent m fnll information at once by telephone, when they found they were unable to cope with the fire themselves. Tbe two Fire Brigade engines were cent out, but no request was made for the much more powerful railway engine, which did not get to work on the fire till past 12 o'clock The other two engines got out within half an hour, and were forthwith taken to tbe river Heathcote, which fortunately rune close behind the Asylum, so that there was plenty of water available. Later.

The fire at the Asylum was got under by 1,15 p.m. Ihe central hall was saved, bat the western wing and women's depart j ment were gutter), roost of the damage being m the upper storey where the fire b«gan. It seems that at 830 a chimney took fire and it was snpposed to have been put out. At 10.45, however, the fire broke oat m the at tip above the 0 Ward, through whioh Ihe chimney passed. The attendants were unable to subdue it and it is. stated the fire prevention appliances were cot all m good order There are no jnsurancee. Twelve months ago the Insurance Companies submitted a price to Government for insuring the Asylum, but it was thought too high. A great deal of fnroiture, etc., was saved out of the burned building, bnt a considerable portjop was lost. Arrangements have been made for lodging the inmate?, all of whom are safe, m the old Immigration Barracks at Aldington.

A female lecturer said ; " Get married young men, and be quick about it. . Don't wait for tbe millenium for the girls to become angels. You'd look well beside an angel, wouldn't you, you brutes ? "

The « Otago Daily Times " learna that Mr B. Halteoptein has sold the linseed oil mills, until lately barrifld on by him m conjunction with Mr Fred. Singer, to Messrs Kempthorne, Proaser, and Co., who propose to carry on the manufacture of oil, cake, etc, on a large scale. The climate of New Zealand is particularly well adapted for the growth of linseed, and m time this should become a very important industry. With the expansion of dairy factories there is every reason to believe a large demand will spring up for oiloake, for which there ia also a large outlet m New South Wales and Queensland.