GREAT FIRE IN BLENHEIM.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 750, 14 November 1876, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN BLENHEIM.

The Marlborough Express, of the 4th, contains a long report of the great fire at Blenheim, from which we extract the following particulars:— The greatest calamity that ever occurred to Blenheim took place on Thursday last. At a little after 1 a.m. the fire bell rang out an unusually alarming note, which was taken up by the Catholic Church bell, and their peals were distinctly heard for a considerable distance. Bach arrival seemed to feel a thrill of horror on discovering that it was the Government Buildings *hat on this occasion was the scene of conflagration. It is difficult to surmise where the fire did originate exactly, and several persons noticed the fire as being in the western wing of the block of buildings in which were the Provincial Government, Land Transfer, and Survey offices, Court house, Post office, Telegraph offices, Resident Magistrate’s, and Supreme Court offices. This pile was of so great extent that the flames, urged by a strong westerly wind, speedily licked across the Market place to Lewis’s shop at the corner, thence it extended by Hunter’s, Hustwick’s and Litchfield’s grocery store to Wynen street. The latter street is, however, so narrow, that the flames lept across and seized the Masonic Hotel, and gradually by degrees burnt along the row till it came to the gap made by the last fire, where it fortunately ceased, having consumed Bush’s Hotel, and Marlborough Club rooms, Carter’s store, Tait’s, confectioner, Byle’s cabinet maker’s shop and his residence. It also proceeded down Wynen street, taking Smith’s residence, foundry, smith’s shop, &c, and Mr Fowler’s residence. Meantime the fire at the Government Buildings consumed Ewart’s Hotel in one direction, and also kept along on the other side of Market street south, and destroyed Litchfield and Son’s large drapery store. The fire brigade attacked the fire at Lewis’s corner, and ende ivored to stay it there, as there was a narrow gap between it and Presswood, watchmaker, but it was in vain, and then the attempt was made to save Lawrence’s store, but although the branch men went on the roof of the adjoining buildings, it soon became apparent that those premises must go. Just as it was hoped that good was resulting from the determined manner in which the men stuck to it, the fire crept in an instant almost behind Mr Rogers’ offices and Campbell’s paint shop, and it was with difficulty the men were able to get down to the street again for the vast volumes of smoke that poured along as they were rapidly consumed, On the northern side of High street an engine was kept for some time playing on Robinson Bros’ shop, Taylor Bros’ workshops, Bae’s office and rhe shops lately vacated by F, Fiven ; by dint of great exertions on the part of numerous persons all this side of the street was saved with little damage except from water, and the breakage of glass, &c. Of course all these buildings, about twenty-four in all, except the last named, were speedily burnt to ashes, and the sight presented by the number of brick chimnies left standing was a singular one. Litchfield and Son saved some of their drapery goods, and indeed many people succeeded in rescuing a little, but the way in which these things lay in the street, especially a lot of fragile glass and fancy wares from Lewis’s, we should say the salvage was really very small. The new brick safes erected at the Tear of the Government Buildings for the 'Land Transfer and Survey Department maintained their name ; the former losing nothing but stationery, all the books, deeds, &c, being intact. The Survey Department has saved all the original maps and plans of the Province, but the working sheets or squares which are copies from the original, were destroyed, and this will represent a considerable loss. All the accounts belonging to the Borough Council were burnt in the Provincial Treasurer’s office, as well as the records of his own and the auditor, which were kept there in a safe which proved to be utterly worthless. All the Supreme Court papers, records, bills of sale registry, as well as those in the Resident Magistrate departments and Post office were totally destroyed, as were the records of sundry County Boards for which Mr Griffiths acted as clerk. In the Telegraph department several instruments and other apparatus were saved, but five cells only out of a total of 500.

Some idea of the destruction may be gathered from the fact that on Thursday we counted forty-four chimnies standing. These were all levelled in the evening by a party of men engaged by the fire brigade, which kept watch during the night, and put out the remaining embers. The following buildings were destroyed— Telegraph office, Post office, Lock up, Ewart’s Hotel, Government buildings in one ( lock, including Court-house, R.M. offices, Supreme Court offices and Customs, Survey, Provincial Government and Land Transfer, Litchfield and Son, Bush’s Hotel, Masonic Lodge, and Marlborough Club, G. 0. Carter, Tait, also workshop, Eyles’ shop, also residence and workshop, Smith, residence, foundry and workshop, Fowler, Litchfield and Son’s grocery store, Hustwick, Hunter, Augustus (empty), Lewis, Presswood, Lawrence, Black’s store, Rogers’ office, Campbell. Besides these were Fiven’s shop, Rae’s office, Robinson Bros’ shop, and Bank of New Zealand partially damaged. The total amount of insurances on property consumed may be apportioned thus ; New Zealand £3400, South British £2150, Vic oria £2OIO, Imperial £3OOO, Northern £SOO, Liverpool and London £BOO, Standard £IBSO, Batavian £960, Norwich Union £1250, National £1450. Total, £17,360. This sum however will not represent perhaps more than half the total loss. We have not yet heard when or whether there is going to be an inquiry into the cause of the fire, but there cannot be two opinions as to the necessity for one. Were there no other reason the numerous rumors flying about should be verified or set at rest for the sake of everyone concerned.

Central Board op Health —The following gentlemen have been appointed members of the Central Board of Health, under the 7th section (of the Public Health Act, 1876, viz, Dr Hector, Dr Skae, Messrs G. S. Cooper, W. Seed W. K. B. Brown, and B* Johnson*