FIRES AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1202, 20 December 1871, Page 2

FIRES AT AUCKLAND.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE MUSIC HALL.

At an early hour on the 10th inst., theMusic Kail in Symonds-street, recently erected on the site of the one previously 1 destroyed by fire, followed its sor's fate, and wan reduced to ash oh, by f the hand it is feared, in this as on the, - former occasion, of an incendiary. A i blackened chimney stack and a few 3 charred pillars are all that remain of J this once handsome and appropriate I building, which the Choral Society, I aided by the public, have twice put u'p i for the purpose of their musical entertainments, which have been so popular » amongst the music loving population in » Auckland, by no means a small section of the community. About 2 o'clock a.m. yesterday the alarm of fire was given from the bells in Wakefield street and other parts of the city, and notwithstanding the early hour, a considerable number of the inhabitants were quickly at the scene of action. The blaze from the burning building, which was of wood and very dry from the hot weather and absence of rain lately, illuminated the whole city, and at one time great feais were entertained for the safety of the buildings at the corner of Symonds-street and Grafton-road, and every precaution had to be taken by the occupants to avert the danger which threatened them, and happily they succeeded in, effecting their object. So quickly did the fire spread that although the fire engines were on the spot shortly afterthe alarm was given, assistance did not arrive in time to prevent the total destruction of this valuable property. There can be little doubt of this being the act of an incendiary. Rags soaked in kerosine were found close to the spot, and it is said that a man was seen to run towards the Domain with a bucket at the time of the occurrence. We understand that fortunately the music and instruments were saved; also that the building was insured in the. New Zealand Insurance Company's office for <£2,OQO. At an inquiry held subsequently, the jury came to the following conclusion: —" That the fire by which the Music Hall was destroved on the morning of the 10th December was an act of wilful incendiarism by some person or persons unknown ; and in order to prevent, as far as possible, the commission of similar crime*, they recommend that the present police force be increased to the extent recommended by the Inspector." [from the evening star, 12th dec] At half-past ten last night Constable Wad man rang the Grey-street tire bell, which was followed by the other bells of tiie town. On looking for the cause it was discovered that Ha wkes wood's; foundry was on fire, and was spreading with alarming rapidity. It appears that Mr James Blood, on returning home to his house iu Chapel-street, wa,s the first to discover the building to be on fire, which was burning inside the foundry on the floor in the corner, at the back of Mrs Sherwood's house in Chapel-street. Mr Hawkeswood wilt be a considerable loser by the calamity, as his insurance only reaches ,£soo* while a lathe in his foundry cost ,£3OO in England alone. His loss may be estimated at .£2,000. Most of the buildings destroyed were uninsured. The following is a list of the property damaged and destroyed : CHAPEL STREET. Small cottage occupied by two females, owned by Mr T. B. Hill, nearly pulled down. Two semi-detached cottages occupied by Mrs Shelwood and Mr Rowley, belonging to Mr Butler, both nearly pulled down, the latter partly burnt. Insured in .Royal for ,£l5O. Cottage occupied as an office and store by Mr Hawkeswood. Totally destroyed by fire. Foundry and workshops at rear of office, owned by Mr Hawkeswood, burnt down. Insured in the Royal for .£2OO for building, and in the Victoria for ,£3OO, for machinery. Shop and dwelling house occupied and belonGrins; to "Mr Blood, cabinet maker, slightly burnt at corner. Workshop at rear destroyed by fire, part of furniture and goods saved, hotl} uninsured.

Cottage occupied by Mrs Beck, owned by Mr Scott, partly demolished. Cottage occupied by Mr Evans, do do. Cottage occupied by Mr Munday, slightly injured, shed at back demolished. Not insured. BACK HOUSES. !" Cottage occupied by Mr Moran and .owned'by Mr Munday, pulled dov».n. Not insured. Cottage occupied by Mrs Page, totally destroyed by fire. Not insured. Cottage occupied by Mrs Moore, owned by Mr Philcox, totally destroyed by lire. Insured for <£7s in New Zealand. .Cottage unoccupied, totally destroyed by tire. ALBERT STREET. Workshop belonging to Mr Burns, cabinet maker, demolished, Not insured. Mr J. Henderson, painter, Victoriastreet, was first to give the alarm, and rendered good service, amongst which his saving peisonally two horses belonging to Mr Maxwell, butcher the Animals being actually un'ler fire. We regret to learn that he was a heavy Joser. Mr Brown and several others in the same row were also considerable losers.