WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 106, 24 October 1877, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday. A fire and sad loss of -life occurred this morning about 4 o'clock. It broke out m a house close to the PrincessHotel occupied by a Mrs Johnston (whose husband died a short time ago) and her five" children, three boys and two girls. The fire must have origjlnated either m the room they slept m or close to it, fpir when fire was discovered only upper part of house was m flames. Alarm given by Mr. Header Wood, who lodges on opposite side of road.* Cattell, who owned four of the houses burned, tried to force his way into where Mrs Johnston and children were, but was ... driven back suffocated by smoke, flame, and gas. Firemen were there sharp, and a large crowd anxious to render assistance, but for over an hour hot a drop of water was to be had, it having been turned off the night before. Had ■there/. 'been "-'water the fire could have been confined toone house. After fire was got under the bodies of Mrs Johnston and five children were found m a space about eight feet square. It is supposed they. were suffocated. ' There are five houses, a kitcheD, and new stable destroyed, besides a good deal of damage to Princess Hotelj niost of the furniture of which was removed. OattelT owned four houses, kitchen, aid stable. Insurances — National 16¥es £1,000 on three houses ; South^ British^ £200,^ on Yate's house and furjiiture. Furniture

of Cattell's private house was insured for £400'in the New Zealand; A good deal of it was saved. .Princess Hotel and furniture igas jnsu* red for £1600 m the New Zealand. Between damage to Cattell's furniture and to hotel New Zealand office estimates its loss at £500. Further particulars of fire. It appears that the water was turned on by watchman kept for, the purpose immediately after the alarm, but either through a stoppage somewhere m the pipes, or else through the pipes being empty and water low m. reservohv which is a long distance from -fire, it took such a long time to fill the empty pipes that the fire got a tremendous headway. Even when water did begin to run there was not enough to fill the, , eight jets which had been got ready to play, and four had to be taken off so that some force might be obtained m the other four. One of the houses burnt was occupied by a family of Auckland, while Sir George Grey occupied a room m the Princess Hotel facing fire. The hotel itself had a very * narrow escape. Cattell, one of thefirst at fire, put up a ladder to floor where Mrs Johnston and her children slept, and broke through the window m hope of rescuing them. But flames burst but with such force, that they knocked him off the ladder— from the top to the ground, receiving cuts and bruises by the fall. Diamond, his partner,' tried next, but he also had to desist, considerably injured by cu*ts and bruises. Weather fortunately was calm while there was no water, otherwise fire must have assumed much larger •proportibns. Cattell, who is chief Toses?%^imates his loss at £1400. He also lo^fMl his papers; such as land deeds, and ; others which he forgot all about m the excitement of the time. Greatest vigilance required te prevent surrounding houses taking fire, showers of sparks being so great. Many members of" Parliament were present, and exerted themselves most energetically. AH the t •bodies were'disfigured beyondrecogTiition. The . mother's body 'and three youngest children found clasped together. She was accustomed to have a kerosene lamp burning, and it is "feared it burstror capsized ; no other solution of fire yet arrived at. - -No cries of any ' kind having been heard, it is supposed stupefaction saved the poor unfortunates <\ all pain. At Masterton this afternoon James McDougal, aged about 50, arrested for attempted rape on a young child. Will be brought up to-morrow, but expected will be remanded till Monday being regular Court day. ; > ■; Business before House this afternoon, of miscellaneous character.; Little of* general interest; Government stated that during recess they would earnestly consider question of restoring; police of Middle Island to their former status as peace officers, and that they intended to introduce a Bill to amend the. present Disqualification Act. • \ - Government Buildings. „ Atkinson has just intimated he will to-morrow give notice of a vote of want of confidence, and has moved the House to adjourp. He coinplainecl of delay-in going on. with the Land jiill. Sheebau is replying. Adjourntiient negalived, Sheeban saying better go on with business. IF they remained jri office Land Bill would psiss^ this Session. If they were to die, they would die fighting. - - ..