DISASTROUS FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 328, 27 January 1871, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE CHORAL SOCIETY'S HALL. Anothee has been added to the now swelling list of conflagrations, so that people naturally ask, "What building next ?" The beautiful Music Hall, in Symondsstreet, is now a heap of charred cinders —a monument to the villainy that reigns in fiendish breasts. As to its beiDg the work of a deliberate incendiary there can be no doubt. The soiree in connection with St. Paul's Church, last night, was held there, and in that happy, festive scene there was little thought of such a picture as that presented by the same | spot this morning. JS o doubt remains that the place was free from anything to cause fire on shutting up of the Hall and refreshment room. The several persons present when the doors were locked are clear on this point. It may be that the large stock of provisions remaining from the soiree, stored in the refreshment room, and intended for the Orphan Home, tempted pillage, and then the place was fired to conceal robbery. Or the burning may have resulted from mere purposeless finishness. Mr. Bandmaster McComish and his family were asleep in their residence attached to the rear of the Hall when Mrs. McComish was awakened about three o'clock this morning by the smell of burning and other indications of fire, she aroused her husband who, on going through the passage observed flames bursting into the Hall through the door connected with the refreshment room, and so rapidly did the fire swoop through the building that he had barely time to rescue his family when the whole place was wrapped in flames. The fire brigades from Newton and the city, and the police, were rapidly on the spot, but effort was useless, and from the detached position of the Hall, attention to other buildings was unnecessary. The appearanco of the firo was exceedingly grand, and the vestibule and facade standing alone for a considerable time, fringed with blaze, presented a picture that in other circumstances would have been considered strikingly beautiful. The bells all over the city kept up the tolling throughout,,

and thousands of spectators stood watching the scene, till roof and walls were tumbled together into n. mass of burning embers. From every source we find that the soiree of the previous evening can in no way be connected with tlie conflagration. The only fire besides the gas in connection with the soiree was that used tor boiling water at the rear, which had been thoroughly quenched, and which even had it continued burniug could not have caused the fire which first broke out at the opposite end of the building. The gas-lights had all been carefully extinguished, and the supply shut off at the meter. From one cause only can it have originated—the wilful firing of the re-freshment-room.

We regret to learn the serious losses that have resulted. The building itself was insured for £1500, full cost of erection ; but all the contents are lost to the several owners. The society have lost tkeir library and music, valued at £300 or £400, and which cannot be replaced for a long time ; so that all concerts for the time must be suspended. rJhej have lost two double bass violins, value £15. Mr. Fenton (the Vice-President of the Society), has lost a piano, value £50, a violoncello, and a tenor violin well known to all frequenters of the Society's concerts, and for which H. B. H. the Duke of Edinburgh had offered £50.

Mr. McComisb, with tlie exception of a watch and two cornets saved by Mr. Provo, lost all his furniture and effects, his family barely escaping in a state of half undress. Mr. Joseph Brown, conductor, lost a silver-mounted baton, music, &c, Mr. H. Brown, a double base, value £15. Mr. Bonnington lost one violin, a very expensive instrument, lent by him to Mr. Jones for the soiree. Mr. Probert lost four dozen china cups, plates, &c, also lent. Mrs. Brett lost a bos containing various articles of plate, linen, &c, left after the soiree. Mrs. Dr.Tassell al?o lost a silver service and china. We are pleased to learn that Mrs. Whitaker, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. JPyson, and Mrs. Hughes, had removed their property, and did not lose anything as currently reported. Colonel Balneavis lost a very valuable violin that had not been out of his possession more than twice in thirty years. Mr. Harker lost a valuable violoincello. St. Matthew's school lost four large tables. Her. Mr. Edger lost cloak, carpets, books, &c, belonging to the chapel, and au harmonium, value £40. Mr. Edger has been singularly unfortunate, having been burnt out equally suddenly a few years since, at Kaipara, where he lost everything. Wo regret to record the loss of the magnificent drop scene, representing Windsor Castle, presented to the Society by his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and valued at £100. But the heaviest loser of nil is Mr. John Copland, who is a loser to the extent of about £30<), none of which is covered by insurance. We learn that Mr. Fen ton's piano, as well as his other instruments, were covered by a policy in the jS'cw Zealand Insurance Company's office, which office is interested altogether to the extent of £1600. Of course, the enquiry which will bo held regarding the origin of Ibis as well as the other fires will elicit further items of information. But we think it will only confirm the impression now so general, that the fire was the result of deliberate arson.