THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1879, Page 4

THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

In reference to the great fire in Wellington the New Zealander of Tuesday last says :— Monday morning dawned on a desolate scene— a wide area of ground covered with smoking ruins and piles of debris still glowing vividly, and ever and anon blazing out in fitful flames. A few tottering chimney stacks, gaunt and stark in their obtrusiveness, upreared their heads like warning beacons of evil omen. Piles of goods and household plenishings lay along the lines of streets, with vehicles, building materials, stock from stores, nondescript belongings, and a multitude of waifs and strays heaped hither and thither in indescribable confusion. Around the chaotic masa of perishing fragments, like the wails ©f a volcano, loomed up in the early daylight the outlines of buildings aaved by an hair's breadth from destruction, smoke hesmired, a »4' fire

blistered, with windows battered and outward adornments scorched and blemished, The Fire Brigades men were still at their posts, weary and toilstained, with helmets dinted and jackets bearing marks of the fray, some with bruised features, others limping, telling the tale of eminent escape from the deadly breach, but all still steadfast in the cause for which they had volunteered — the preservation of property. The police also were thero keeping i vigilant watch, and there was need, for the uncanny tribe whose harvest is where others suffer, were on the alert, : pickers up of unconsidered trifles, purloiners of the shoe strings of Him who bled on the Cross, if occasion offered. As daylight became brighter many more moving figures appeared on the scene, quite home-loving people, ruthlessly driven from under their roof trees, and now seeking here, there, and elsewhere for some relics of their Larra and Penates. Some were found, and many were not. Soon there were wordy tribulations in the market place, disputations, and arguments as to the rights of meum and teum. In good Booth it seemed but vain contention, seeing that the things in dispute were for the most part but mere shreds and fragments. Later on something more approaching systematic effort prevailed, goods were sorted out and identified, and carted away to more safe lodgments. The heaps of drapery, furniture, leather work, hardware, and other effects ad Jinitum, all found owners, and soon the muddy thoroughfares showed few traces of the panic but a multitude of shreds and patches By 9 a.m. there was scarcely a vestige of portable property left on the streets, though of heavy trade merchandise there was, in Manners-street, still an indiscriminate collection.