WELLINGTON

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 199, 4 November 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON

GREAT FIRE IN WILLIS-STREET

(Abridged from the Independent, Nov. 3.)

About 3 o’clock yesterday morning the inhabitants of Wellington were alarmed by the ringing of the fire-bells, the shrill note of the “ alarm bugle,” and the sounding of the bells belonging to the various ships in harbor, — the cause being a fire which was discovered to have broken out at the Aurora Tavern, occupied by Mr. J. Thompson, which was completely burned, as was also two houses in the occupation of Mrs. Collins. Mr. Compton’s store was entirely gutted, Mr. Denton’s (watchmaker) was more or less damaged by fire or water, while Mr. Mausill’s (fruiterer’s) shop had to be pulled down to save the Eagle Tavern, which was fortunately done, although the roof was twice alight. It appears that about the time above mentioned a young man of the name of Henry G. Webster who was staying at the Aurora Tavern, first heard a crackling noise which he immediately concluded was some part of the family lighting a fire after coming home from the ball which was being held at the« Odd Fellows’ Hall. Being acquainted with the various sounds burning timber makes, he was surprised to hear that it was totara, as he knew that wood is not allowed to be burnt in town. He called on Mr. Thompson, but receiving no reply thought his conjecture true, until he perceived flames rushing under the floor. He immediately alarmed the household, who with difficulty escaped.

Simultaneously with the above, a young woman who was also staying in the house heard the same noises, and attributed them the same cause until she saw flashes of flame which she says she thought was lightning, and the crackling of the timber resembling the noise of raiu falling upon the roof. Rising from her bed she dsicovered fire, hot only thought it was the chimney as no smoke

could be seen at all. Opening the door she saw the flames curling under the roof, and the fact that the house was on fire was forcibly made apparent. She called loudly for Mrs. Thompson who retired to bed early the previous night through indisposition, and when she saw her coming from the room which was within a short distance from the flames, she noticed she had not her baby in her arms. In the excitement, the servant thought her mistress had forgotten it, and exclaimed “ The child ! The child 1” not seeing Mr. Thompson, who was by this time almost concealed in the smoke, bearing the infant in his arms. At this juncture the scene was most pitiful ; Mrs. Thompson but thinly clad, standing on the portico while her infant was borne by a person named Watson through the window and handed to Raymond Collins, who was standing near. The other females in the house were lowered down and when all were out of danger, the men followed from the burning house.

The following information concerning the insurances has been obligingly furnished us by a gentleman perfectly conversant with the subject:—The “ Aurora” was insured in the Lancashire for ,£250, and the Australasian for £SOO, in each case stock and furniture only were in the policy, the house itself being uninsured. Mr. Compton was insured in New Zealand, £SOO, Australasian £700; and Liverpool and London £2OO. As the greater part of this insurance is also on stockj aud most of it was saved, the loss will fall very lightly on the offices named. Mr. Mansilbs shop was insured in the New Zealand office for £75, and is a total loss. Mr. Denton was insured, but the loss will be light. The houses occupied by Mrs Collins and her son were uninsured.