DECLINE IN RAW MATERIALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2204, 7 October 1907, Page 2

DECLINE IN RAW MATERIALS.

United Press Association—Copyright

(Received Oct. 6, 4.58 p.m.) LONDON; Oct. 6. Tho “Economist” says the average decline in prices of the "principal commodities since September 22nd was .5 per cent, manifested chiefly in quotations for raw material used in the staple industries. The previous excessive use, particularly 'of coal, has checked tho demand- The decline is nowise an unmixed evil, ami should help to regulate the ebb in" tlie industrial tide and mitigate tlio disturbfflice and distress arising from the panic in tho manufacturing industry.

THE TURAKINA FIRE.

EXTINGUISHING WORK PROCEEDING. SOME DANGEROUS OPERATIONS. . Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oc-t. 4. The Turakina’s hoses wero played on tho burning bales as they wore swung over the side of tho ship to botli lorries and the pontoons. As tho hemp mis taken out of tho hold there was a steady inereaso in tho volume of smoko which issued, and at 4 p.m. tho position began to assume a serious aspect. All tho ship's hoses wero directed info tho hold, and discharging operations suspended. Tho “man in overalls,” however, laid proved himself a boro in tho fastening of slings around the burning bales of hemp. Not till tho smoko and steam became so dense that their figures were scarcely discernible did tho cargo workers beat a retreat. Ominous tongues of liv.id flame occasionally shot out between tho lower hutches of _ tho ’tween decks. Water was ciuickly directed upon tiie flames, which, however, seemed to lick lip the liquid and instantly convert it into long sinuous columns of smoko and steam.

Tho lire was gaining steadily, and it was realised shortly after 4.30 p.m. that there was no hope of saving a 113' of tho cargo in that hold, and drastic steps were urgently required to save the vessel from serious injury. By an •almost providential coincidence tho Union Company’s new tug and fire-boat. Terawhiti was rigged up yesterday morning to test her fire I)limps. The two big 10-ineh centri-

fugal pumps treated the public to a display of water-lifting yesterday at midday, when the vessel, at her her,tli near the Custom-house, raised two columns of water 10 inches in diameter 31ft above the level of the harbor. Mr. W. A. Kennedy, local manager of the Union Company, was aslced by Captain Forbes, of the Turakina,' at 4.40 p.m., to send the Terawhiti round to flood the hold.

At 0.10 p.m. the captain of the cruiser Challenger sent a boat-load of men with a hand-force pump to the assistance of the Turakima. This pump was at first useful in keeping down tho wafer on tlio shelter deck of No. 2 hold, as the water threatened to rise and flood that hold. Five minutes after the arrival of_ the Challenger’s men, the Terawhiti, under the command of Pilot Damson, drew alongside. A gang of men, under the supervision of Mr. J. Daniel, Union Company’s superintendent of repairs, fitted up the big pipes on the Terawhiti’s 10-inch pumps. In the meantime a 5-ineli and 3-inch hose w,as passed up from the Terawhiti, and the fire brigade’6 smaller steam engine arrived on the scene. The brigade directed the 5-ineli and 3-inch hose into the hold, when 900 tons of waiter was pumped up bv the Terawliiti’s two big pumps, and all the smaller hose were pouring water info the vessel for an hour. The Turakima began to list- rnt an uncomfortable angle. The fire continued in the ’tween

decks, just beneath the shelter deck, and clouds of steam and smoke made tho work of the firemen and others most unpleasant. After 5 o’clock ruin began to fall, and the southerly wind dropped. The smoke and steam now found a way into No. 2 hatch, and the fire burned merrily- under the shelter deck. The roar of the heavy volume of water as it spouted out of the Teraiwliiti’s pipes sounded like a huge cataract, and it was with difficulty that the voices of those around the No. 1 hatch could be heard.

As darkness set in the position remained unchanged, although the Turakina listed more and more in towards the wharf. The firemen who had gone down with smoke jackets on earlier now found it impossible to risk a visit to the shelter deck. The rain ceased after an hour or so, but the steam and smoke continued with undiminislied volume. Crowds lined the wharf, but were not permitted to approach the vicinity of the berth occupied by the steamer. At 8 o’clock the Turakina settled on the bottom, as the continuous efforts of the pumps had depressed the vessel forward to such an extent that she was touching bottom in 3lft of water.

The fire now wrapped the middle ’tween decks iu a blanket of gold, which was almost obscured by the clouds of storm and smoko which were vomited out of the hatch. One man more venturesome than others, whilst leaning over the combings directing the hose oil the flames, was suddenly wrapped in a funnel of very dense smoke. He managed to emit a stifled call for help. Happily, a life-line attached to his waist was available, and he was pulled away from the hatch in a gasping condition, but lie soon pulled himself together.

H.M.S. Challenger, lying a\ anchor in the stream, turned her searchlight on the Turakina during the major portion of the evening. At 9 o’clock the decking on the starboard side of the hatch began to steam like a. miniature thermal region, and the hose was turned on the spot. The deck then buckled, as the result, apparently, of the burning of 260 bags of kauri gum, which was stowed under the deck at that spot. Just before midnight there was no apparent change in the position. Hugo volumes of smoke and steam wero issuing from the vessel, and tlie attempt to subdue the outbreak continued with unaibated vigor.

MEAT CARGO ENTIRELY SPOILT.

A DIFFICULT AND OBSTINATE FIRE.

SHIP BADLY DAMAGED.

WELLINGTON, Oot. 5. The work of emptying the forehohl of the Turakina is proceeding. It is a difficult undertaking, calling for much skill, and is not entirely free from the risk of personal injury.

The whole of the meat cargo has been spoilt, and it is doubtful if the butter is in a salenblo condition. These two items alone represent £85,000. The flax, wool, and kauri gum arc also' damaged. 'Mr. Hugo, superintendent of the City Fire Brigade, describes the outbreak as the most obstinato .and difficult fire he lias ever had to deal with. The hold was flooded to the coamings, and the water buret into the refr.icernting chamber, flooding it to the deck, and escaping through the portholes or any other vent. The whole of the machinery was covered, but is untouched, by • fire. The scene on the deck of the steamer to-day is deplorable. The deck on the starboard side has buckled up, and grey patches on the hull show where the fire lias been fiercest. The damage to the ship herself is extensive, and it will probably be at least oiio month before she resumes her voyage.

HOPES FOR THE BUTTER CARGO.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 5,

The Union Co.’s moveable - 10-n’ncli

pump was placed in the Turakina to-day. Steam was supplied by the tug Terawhiti alongside. This afternoon the foreliokl is still two-thirds full of water, and No. 2 hold is half empty. The vessel still rests on the bottom of the harbor.

It is not certain that the butter cargo is irretrievably damaged. It is now being stored in the Harbor Board’s sheds for inspection.

Dozen* of drays have been engaged all day carting away flax from the ship. The best- portions of the wool, flax, and kauri gum will be reconditioned. Some of the water pumped into the vessel on Friday night has found its way to the stokehold, which was flooded to a depth of 3ft on Saturday. This has now been reduced to n felt ijicbca.

AERIAL NAVIGATION.

GOOD ItUN BY BRITISH AIRSHIP DIRIGiIBILITY DEMONSTRATED. United Press Association —Copyright (Received Oct. 6, 11.5 R’ 1 ! 1 * LONDON, Oct. 6. Colonel Templar’s airship Null} Secundus, leaving Farnborough at 10.40 o’clock in the morning and starting against a light wind, steered via Staince to London, and passed over St. Paul’s at 12.25, when it har travelled 33 miles. It circled the dome, and finally skilfully descended in the centre of tho cycle track at tho Crystal Palaco at 2.15. _ Colonels Capper and Cody and Lieutenant Waterloo, who wero aboard, were delighted with tho behaviour of the ship, which rose and fell at their bidding. The aeroplanes steered perfectly. The journey aroused intense public and the whirr of the screw and the noiso of the motor were plainly audible.