WANGANUI

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 167, 25 March 1864, Page 6 (Supplement)

WANGANUI

Fire. —A serious fire took place last Thursday evening on the other side of the river. About a quarter past twelve, the No. 9 Company of the 57th Regiment, quartered in Messrs. Curtis’ old store observed flames issuing from the stable of Mr. Baldwin, of the Lion Inn, and immediately hurried to the rescue. About the same time the alarm of fire was given from the York Stockade, and the fire picket, along with Col. Logan, Capt. Clarke, &c., hurried to the ferry. The No. 9 Company got over in a punt which happened to be on this side ; but by the time the fire picket got down to the river, the flames were roaring so loudly, and the ferrymen were so busy in their endeavours to extinguish them, that the loudest shouting was of no avail, and the fire picket had to remain on this side, witnessing the conflagratioix, which (hey would have been too glad to have assisted in quenching. In about an hour the two stables behind the house, in which were eight, horses, four tons of hay, a large quantity of saddlery and other things were level with the ground, and everything inside reduced to ashes except one horse. The stables were about 50 feet behind the house with their gable ends toward it, and were built side by side with a space of about aix feet between, into which the stable doors opened. The fire began in the loft of the old stable at the end farthest from the house, where there was a large quantity of hay, and the flames were first observed by Mr. Baldwin breaking through the shingles. There were two horses in this stable, one of them Volunteer, a racehorse, belonging to Mr. Alex. Cameron. It was standing immediately below the spot where the fire began, and after the floor of the loft was burned through, the flaming masses of hay falling down started but did not injure him, protected as he wa ; by a horse cloth, until the door was broken open by a groom with an axe, when he bolted out like a shot. The other horse in this stable could not be got out. In the other stable, which caught fire immediately, were six horses, and it was found impossible to get them out, the flames from the other stable in front of the door frightening them back. An opening was cut at the back, to save, if possible, a valuable mare belonging to Mr. G. Fisk, which was to have run at the races to-day, and would have shown first-rate racing qualities, but it was found impossible to move her Meanwhile, the inn would have been on five but fortbe presence of mind and exertions of a gentleman who was in the hotel, Mr. Newman, who, assisted by Mr. Baldwin and a Maori, got the walls protected by wet blankets. So intense was the heat, that buckets of water bad co be thrown over Mr. Newman while engaged in fastening up the blankets, to prevent his being scorched. Mr. Baldwin was insured for £825, and estimates his loss above that at £2OO. lie lost two horses, one of which was Camden, entered at the Produce. The other horses lost belonged, one to Mr. Campion, of Rangitikei, another to Mr. R. Cameron, of the Wangaehu, a young mare to Wm. Lind, and the last to Mr. A. Crmeron, beside Mr Fisk’s mare already mentioned. V\ e may add that the exertions of the soldiers on the occasion were highly praiseworthy.— Chronicle, Marcli 4. Arrival of the “ Wanganui.” —The Wanganui, screw steamer, arrived off the river last Wednesday -, but she was prevented coming in on that day and stood off; an easterly wind came on, which prevented her making the land on Thursday, and it was Friday evening before she entered the river. There is but one opinion as to her appearance. She is a remarkably fine boat, by far the finest of her size we have yet seen in New Zealand waters. In external appearance she is a model, her lines being remarkably beautiful, and conveying the idea of great strength, as well as of perfect symmetry. On boarding her, one has the idea of being in a gentleman’s yacht, so complete is her equipment, and so well finished is every detail. From her poop deck you descend into her saloon by a commodious staircase. The saloon is elegantly fitted up, having carved oak and gilt cornices, and the walls ornamented with fine paintings in panels all round. The left hand as you

enter is a commodious cabin for the captain, and besides 9 berths partitioned off for passengers, the is sleeping accommodation in the saloon for no fewer than 34. The fore-cabin is a plain but decent apartment with 9 berths and sleeping accommodation for 20 in all. Here are the cabins of the engineers and mates. The engines one cannot at present see very well -, they are said to be of the very best material and manufacture : there are two of them of 25 horse power each. There is also on deck a steam winch, which will greatly facilitate the loading and discharge of the vessel. The hold is admirably adapted for cattle, and is lifted up with the necessary appliances for the cattle trade. The passengers need have no fear of a proper supply of those things that are necessary for the body, the galley being fitted up on the most approved principle, and the Steward’s pantry being well furnished with the appliances peculiar to his art. The earthenware is plain but elegant, and it, and the silver plate, have painted or engraved on every piece the name of the steamer and the “Wanganui Steam Navigation Company.” The Wanganui is an iron boat and was built in Dundee by the well-khown firm of Gourlay Brothers, who also mhde her engines and fitted her out. Her keel was laid on the Stir May last, and she was launched on the 30th July, having her name given her by Miss Margaret Watt, eldest daughter of W. H. Watt, Esq., of Westmere. Some delay then took place in consequence of the builders having all their hands engaged in another vessel which they were bound to complete within a certain time (and this is the only confplaint that can be made of Messrs. Gourlay), so that she was not ready for sea till the 28lh October. In consequence of this delay she is too late for the wool season here, which is to be regretted. ft. in. Length from stem to stern post 144 9 Length overall 154 0 Main breadth 29 0 Depth of hold 9 4 Tonnage for registration 104 GO Tonnage measured without cabin 188-42 Tonnage including engine-room and cabin 20673 She has at present 160 tons of dead weight on board, with which she draws Bft Gin ; but her ordinary draught of water will not exceed 6ft forward, 7ft 7in. aft. Her funnel will be put up and her screw fixed by t--.e engineers on board, and she will be ready for sea in 3or 4 weeks. There are two condensing engines nominally of 25 horse power each ; the boilers arc tubular, and the screw has 3 blades. In ordinary weather she will make 9 knots under steam. We understand that the committee of management have it in contemplation to make a pleasure trip in her, and such of the shareholders as may be able to accompany them, in order to test her powers. Of this due notice will of course be given. We believe that the Wanganui's cost is in all delivered here about £9,000. In conclusion we must congratulate Capt. Linklater on his satisfactory execution of the commission entrusted to him, superintending the fitting out of the vessel and bringing her to the port to which she belongs; and the shareholders on the very superior steamer, they have of doing good service to the trade of the district and drawing fair dividends. Wo hope that this is but the first of several steamers, which the increasing prosperity of the place will warrant the Wartganui Steam Navigation Company in purchasing.— Chronicle, March 10.