INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 223, 20 September 1877, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[press agency.] FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN AUCKLAND Auckland, Thursday. An extensive fire broke out in the Lunatic Asylum at Whau at five o'clock- this morning, which destroyed all the left wiug and upper portion of the centre or main buildings. A female patient Jnaiued Fortune was burned to death. The fire broke out in a shed in the back part of the building, and was communicated to the upper part of the centre, extending thence to the wing to the left side on approaching the maiu entrance. This section was occupied by the womeu and some of the worse patients. There was very little water, or prompt measures might have very much circumscribed the destruction. Efforts were at once made to get out the patients, and with complete success with the single exception noted above. There was comparatively little confusion, the males behaving remarkably well, considering that the circumstances were calculated to excite their imaginations. Beyond few cries it may be said that there was no disturbance. The news was not known in town until halfpast live o'clock, and some time elapsed before the locality could be discovered, many runniug into the town. The Fire Brigade, under Inspector Hughes, at once started for the scene, the engine being drawn by four horses. On arrival the hand engine was fastened on to the force pump, and a flood of water thrown on to the upstairs floor of the centre with such success as to prevent the fire from burning it through, and thus preserving the right wiug intact. Great excitement arose shortly after six o'clock upon the discovery being made that a woman was still in the left wiug. Owen Humphrey, of the Fire Brigade, broke in a window to get her out, but then it was fouud that she had run to another window. After a few minutes of intense suspense she was rescued in safety. Dr Aicken employed himself actively in removing the patients, and all the women were brought into the hospital by 8 o'clock, the male inmate 3 were located in the immigrant's barracks. A considerable amount of danger arose during the progress of the fire from lea 4 running off the roof, and from falling timbers. One inmate asserts that she set it on fire because she was put to sleep ia the same compartment with a Maori woman. Wellington, Wednesday. The Government have telegraphed to Sir Julius Yogel for the names of the persons lost in the Avalanche. A further telegram received by Dr. Lemon this afternoon says that the Batavian cable is working intermittently, but that messages of the 17th are still ou hand. Thursday. In consequence of news of the fire at Whau lunatic asylum, the Stella has been ordered to proceed at ouce to Manukau with Dr. Skae, luspector of Lunatic Asylums. An old settler named liichardsou, 71 years of age, committed suicide this uiorniug. He was found lying on the ground strangled, with an handkerchief tight round his neck. He was subject to acute head-aches, and had been suffering for days previous. Graiiamstown, Wednesday. A meeting was held to-day to consider the desirability of giving some public testimonial to the men who so gallantly rescued three miuers from the Caledouian mine ou Monday during an influx of carbonic acid gas. A largo committee was appoiuted, aud subscriptions are to be collected. The names of the men who distinguished themselves in rescuing their mates at the peril of their own liveware: Kadford, Leith, Morrison and Irwin. The three men rescued are recovering. One was several hours in the bad air, ] and was insensible iv one of the chambers, when Irwin made a dash into the chamber and dragged the inanimate body out. Au enquiry as to how the mine became flooded with gas while the men were allowed to bo working is demanded, but as the Mining Inspectorship is iv abeyauce, there appears to be no person authorised to make the enquiry.