PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2203, 5 October 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. COAL MINES BILL. The Mines Committee reported upon the Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill, and recommended that it proced without amendment.

DEALING WITH INEBRIATES. Replying to Mr. Bechan, tho At-torney-General said it was not intended at the present time to adopt the system tried in Victoria with regard to inebriates of allowing them to be discharged upon, signing tho pledge. Ho considered the law in force in regard to prohibition orders was sufficient to meet tho case. FIRST READINGS. Tho Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill and the Judiciary Act, 1907, were read a first time. The Council rose at 2.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Houso mot at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Six days’ leav.o of absence was granted to Messrs Davcy and Hall on account of ill-health. LAND BILL. The rest of the sitting was devotecl to discussion on the new Land Bill [Tho discussion is reported in another column.]

TURAKINA ON FIRE

press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct, 4. Tho steamer Turabiua, which left Auckland on the 26th September lor London, was signalled this morning

outside, with her cargo on fire. Tho fire on tho Turakina broko out in No. 1 hold, among tho general cargo, consisting largely of wool, flax ami tow. It was first noticed at 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, when tho steamer was 550 milos from the Chatham Islands and 1000 miles from Wellington. Tho hold and forepart of tho vessel woro sealed down to provont a draught, nnd tho sulphur oxide ongmo began to pump extinguishing gas into tho part affocted, nnd water was played on tho top of tlie hatch. Tho outbreak was confined to tho ’tween docks of No. 1 hold, and was held in check till tho vessel arrived in Wellington at 11 o’clock to-day. It is not anticipated that thero will bo any groat dilhculty in completely suppressing tho firo. The extent of tho damago will not bo known till later in tho day. Following is tho official report on tho firo mado by Captain Forbos:— ‘ ‘On Sunday, September 29th, tho ship being about 550 miles from tho Chatham Islands and 1000 miles from Wellington, smoko was soon issuing from No. 1 hold. Tho hatch was closed, and all vontilation »7’th the hold was closed. Tho Clayton fiio oxtinguishcr machino was then started into tho hold, and tho ship’s course was sot for Wollingt >n nnd to pass eloso to tho Chatham Islands. “By the continuous voviring of tl.o Clayton machino, nnd a constant flow of water on tho hatch coamings nnd deck, tho firo was prevented from spreading. “Tho boats woro provisioned nrd re "dy for immediato use, and ail pc siiblo speed was made for Wellington. “Unfortunately, strong winds were experienced, culminating in a heavy . gale and high seas on tho night of October 2nd. “The Wellington signal station v.as communicated with at 10.30 am., and tho Turakina was berthed at Queen’s Wharf at noon.” ' ,

/WORK OF DISCHARGING BEGUN ) A PREVIOUS FIRE. Press Association. i WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. >This afternoon several of the crew of tlio Turakina with smoko holmots on went down into tho crew’s quarters adjacont to tho hold wliero tho ■firo originated. Tho smoke was not dense, but was very pungent, and air had to bo pumped to the mon. A lot of personal effects of tho crew were brought up. Nothing appeared to be burned. Superintendent Hugo, of tho Fire Brigade, made preparations for dealing with the firo. "When the hatches were removed tho Tera>vhiti, tlio salvage tug of tho Union Company, was put into commission, working her large S-inch pump. Tenders were towed alongside to receivo damaged cargo, and lorries woro drawn up alongside tho wharf for a similar purpose. The hatches were taken off at threo o’clock. They woro charred underneath, especially on tho port side. Superintendent Hugo directed extinguishing operations. Bales of flax singed all round but not burned through were got up. They were stowed up to the combings. Several leads of hoso woro kept playing into the hold while unloading was going on. A fire broke out on the Turakina on September 27th, 1905, while sho was lying alongside the Glasgow wharf, Wellington. The outbreak was extinguished by the chemical engine. Tho cargo at that time consisted of wool, flax, tow, and other New Zealand produce intended for London. On discharging the cargo it was found that the fire originated in some flax and wool shipped at the Bluff. About ‘9O bales of wool and flax were damaged. On that occasion the Collector of Customs found, “that tho wool and flax were on fire in No. 4 hold ’tween decks. As to tho cause I cannot give an opinion, unless to spontaneous combustion of flax or wool.” “Tho figures aro not in New Zealand, and even head office doe 3 not ■ know them,” was the answer to a nuestion put at tho New .Zealand Shipping Company’s office regarding the insurances on the hull of the Turakina. Tho steamer is covered, but the amount is not available yet. Explicit information concerning the insurance on tho cargo in No. 1 hold was not procurable this afternoon.

(Special to Times.) •' WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. Tho firo on tho Turakina appears now to be reduced to limits of safety, but about four hours ago it appeared to be touch and go with the vessel. Had the flames broken through the deck as seemed not unlikely, the vessel would probably havo had to be towed out into the harbor and scuttled. Luckily tho Union Co.’s new and poworful tug Torawhiti was trying her pumps for the first time this morning, and her services wore available. She has very powerful pumps, and for hours has been pumping water into tho Turakina’s hold at the rate of about a thousand tons _ an hour. One of tho city fire engines has been similarly engaged. The forehold is now full of_ water, and the ship has for some time been resting on the bottom of the harbor. At the Queen’s wharf the scene is a vory pretty one, for clouds of steam aro still rising from the forehold, and the two powerful searchlights from II M.S. Challenger, which is moored out in the harbor, .are being used to brilliantly light up the scene. The nivht is fine, and the harbor like a mill pond. Tho chemical apparatus seems to havo saved the situation by keeping the fire in ysheck for so long. But for this the passengers would no doubt have had to be landed at tho Chathams. It is extremely lucky that the fire was discovered at such an early stage of tho voyago. The damago to tho ship will be considerable, and tho cargo will also be much damaged. Tho frozen meat will suffer as tho refrigerating engines aro, of course, out of action. Both the tug and tho firo engines wore still at midnight pouring volumes of water into the burning vessel. When the five has been put out it will take a considerablo_ time to pump the water out again, and a groat deal of- tho cargo will havo to be discharged. Tho vessel will bo here for some mouths.'