THE INCENDIARY FIRES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 640, 1 September 1882, Page 2

THE INCENDIARY FIRES.

BURNING OF TMW SOMERSET HOTEL, HEAD OF THE BAY.

Since last issue we published the following extra : —•

Tuesday, Noon

Early this morning Mr Robert Noonan, who was on the look out. noticed a bright glare in the direction of Duvauchelle's, and called tho attention of Mr B. Grange to it, saying at the time, '" I am sure that is the Somerset Hotel burning." Ilia word proved only too true, for at 5 a.m. young Mr Sh&dbolt came galloping in with the news that the Hotel had been totally destroyed by fire. Sergeant Willis returned with him, and the news spread that not only the Somerset Hotel, but also Mr Lee's premises, had been destroyed. Luckily this latter rumor proved utterly without foundation. We hasten to lay before the pirdic the fullest information obtainable, just received from our special reporter at Duvauchelle's Bay.

At about 2.10 a.m. this morning the well -known Somerset Hotel hero was discovered to be on fire. No one has recently been living in the hotel, and the furniture had all been cither sold or removed by Mr Brooks. Those first at the scene of the fire found the who'e of the front towards the Akaro.l road one maas of flame, and not a single piece of the building was saved, tho heat being so intense that the spectators were compelled to stand chains off. Only one chimney stack stands to mark tho site of the hostelry. All accounts agree that it is the work of an incendiary, probably the came wretch who caused the Akaroa and Little Akaloa fires. The building was insured in the Norwich Union for ,-UIOOO and in the Liverpool and London and Globe f>r £500. It k understood to be the intention of the proprietrix, Mrs Shadbolt, to rebuild the hotel-in an improved style.

It is certainly nee.essary some immediate steps should be taken to ensure the future

safety of the town, and the Borough Council should at once appoint a ni«ht watch, mm to restore a feeling of public security. Without they take some immediate action they will deservedly sink in public estimation. What are a few pounds compared to the general uneasy feeling as to whose turn it will bo next to suffer that now prevails. If she Borough Council cannot afford to pay some one tn patrol tho streets, let them call on fche burgesses, who will willingly help with subscriptions. The police cannot work night and day, a*id additional aid is urgently required till the vile perpetrators of these enormities are arrested.

There is really nothing to record further of any importance, though of course rumor has been busy. The Somerset Motel bad been empty for a long time, it being five or sis weeks before the tiro when any one wds living on the premises. Mr. J. Beilby Barker, jun., the coach driver, was the first to be awakened by the conllagration. He slept in Mr Lee's stables. He gave the alarm, and was first on the ground, though speedily followed by Mrs Shad holt (the proprietrix), airl Mr L'-e. When Mr Barker first got there, however, all chance of discovering the origin of the lire was at an end, for that part of the hotel facing the main road to Barry's By was a sheet of llune. All they could do was to watch and see the building consumed. Built on the site of the Travellers Rest, the Somerset Hotel was a comparatively new one. The Head of the Bay being such a centre for gatherings of. all sorts, it is to be hoped that no time will be lost in erecting a proper structure for the accommodation of travellers. The Resident Magistrate telegraphed to the Minister of Justice, asking th it a reward might be offered, or other steps betaken towards the arrest of the culprit or culprits. Replies were received, stating that the matter hud been referred to the Constabulary Department; and they have siiico taken steps to do all they could. So for as we can learn, however, there is not the slightest clue to any offender up to the present time. The insurance agents here communicated with their heads in Christchurch, and yesterday wo understand that one arrived to hear any further particulars possible. An enquiry is to be held in a day or two, but the exact elate was not fixed last night. There is still a good deal of uneasiness prevailing.