THE FIRE AT WELLINGTON

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 May 1901, Page 4

THE FIRE AT WELLINGTON

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, This Day.

During the progress of this morning’s fire the sight was truly magnificent. Huge columns of flame shot up into the sky, and were borne along by the gale, which swept in resistless volume along their course of destruction, while millions of sparks and burning fragments formed a pyrotechnic display of a wonderfully effective description. The scene was particularly impressive when viewed from a distance. The flames spread with such extraordinary rapidity that the people living in the neighbourhood were panic stricken, and in nearly every ininstance the destruction of their homes involved the loss of the whole of their furniture and personal belongings. The scene of the fire being on the higher levels the brigade men were practically impotent, the pressure of water available being only sufficient to throw a jet of water for about 20 feet. Still they worked away doggedly for hours under these depressing conditions, and finally succeeded in checking the further spread of the flames. For about three hours, however, the fire was completely beyond control.

Mr Devine lost a very valuable library as also did Messrs Gifford and Hales. The greatest loss in this direction, however, was that suffered by Mr Rowe, chief librarian of the Public Library. Rowe had been a book collector for years, and had over 5000 volumes, valued at £I4OO. This was one of the finest private libraries in New Zealand, and comprised many rare and valuable books. His collection of poetry and drama, especially of English poetry and drama, was unique there being nearly 1300 volumes under those headings. Nothing was saved from his house but the scanty articles of clothing which the inmates wore when driven out by the flames.