GREAT FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 603, 15 December 1871, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

Once more the city has been startled by the doleful sound of tho fire-bells rolling out on the night air, though on this occasion the scene of destruction was a little farther a-field. About a quarter to one this morning a glare was seen in the direction of Onehunga, and in a short time the city was in the commotion usually caused by tho ringing out of all the firebells, and there was hurrying in hot haste in the directiouof Wakcfieldand Symondsstreets, but the excitement soon subsided when it was found that the fire was beyond the reach of sightseers. It turned out that the burning was taking place in Onehunga, and it proved to be tho most extensive ever known in that district. We have been furnished with particulars by the attention of our agents at Onehunga, from which, and other information, we compile the following particulars : —

The fire was first seen iv an empty shop belonging to the estate of General Taylor. It is supposed to have been caused by loafers sleeping on the premises, or through wilful incendiasm. This building which is one of two unoccupied buildings adjoins the house formerly occupied as branch Bank of New Zealand, The wind was blowing at the time from W.S.W., and the flames speedily caught the Cnstom House nearly opposite. The flames were so fierce tLiat it was impossi ble to get at the bonded store which contained 13 largo cases containing the materials and stores for the Lighthouse so long contemplated as about to bo erected at tae Manakau Pleads. There were also some cases of old stores, Custom House boat gear, &c, all of which wero consumed. With great courage and promptness, Mr James McPike, late Custom House boatman, broke open the office door, and got out the iron safes, books, seal, and a quantity of papers; a portion of very little value being destroyed. The promptness of Mr McPike, as really deserves of recognition, and we trust it will not go unforgotten, Had it not been for him wo are told all the papers and books, many of great importance, would have been destroyed,

The destruction of tho lanterns and stores. for the Lighthouse is really a disgrace to the Government. For o» era year these articles remained idly at Wellington after being imported from England, and now for eight months they had been lying at Onehucga, when they were consumed. Notwithstanding tho efforts made to arrest the fire, the flames spread rapidly, and the houses of the following persons followed one another in rapid succession under tho devouring element: —Mrs Codlin, Exchange Hotel, insured at £100 ; Mr Wilson, grocer and ship chandler, partly insured ; Mr Crawford, grocer ; Mrs Morrow ; Mr Willis, grocer; Mr Furley's property was partly insured. All the buildings destroyed vrore of two storeys, and some of them very valuable property. The greatest exertions) had to be used to prevent the fire from spreading, owing to the dry weather and material, Mrs Hartnett's and Mr Hutchinson's in Church-street having actually caught fire, which was soon extinguished. The fire was of a most extensive character, and adds another to our list of recont casualities.

Since writing the above, we havo obtained the following information relating to the insurances : — Block of buildings, comprising Exchange Hotel and out-buildings, belonging to Mr S. Purley, insured in the Eoyal for £600, aud in the Liverpool, London and Globe for £300. Shop and cottage at rear, occupied by Mr Crawford as a grocery, insured in tho Liverpool, London and Globe for £200. ■Stock of Mr Wilson, ship chandler, insured in tho New Zealand for £200. Stock and furniture of Mr G. Codlin, of Exchange Hotel, insured in New Zealand for £100. House belonging to Mr C Pike, of Parnell, and occupied by Mr Willis, grocer, insured in the Norwich for £300.