OTAGO.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 73, 8 December 1855, Page 2

OTAGO.

FutE. — A fire occurred at Dunedin on the afternoon of Monday, by which the gaol-was entirely consumed. It appears that the fire originated from Mr. Monson's (the gaoler) having thrown some ashes and lighted embers down the cess-pool, with the object of purifying it. The flames when first discovered were but a few inches high, but spread with such astonishing rapidity, that before water could be procured, the fire had caught the gable end of the gaol, and passing up between the weather-boards and the lining, defied all efforts to extinguish it. In less than ten minutes about a hundred persons were on. the spot; whose assistance for a time was comparatively ; useless, the building being surrounded by a .high paling, 'which, it was necessary to remove f before water could be thrown upon the burning edifice. The paling also having taken fire the heat was so intense and the smoke so suffocating, that for some time all efforts were unavailing. Unfortunately the fire had commenced at the south end of the gaol ; the wind being from the south-west, and blowing ■ half a gale, it therefore became apparent that it was impossible to save the gaol, and all that could be done was to prevent the fire from extending to the adjoining building. The intervening paling was with considerable difficulty removed, and the adjoining house was covered with blankets constantly wetted. A line having been formed to thejbeach, the tide being full, the public laboured hard m passing up buckets of water for upwards of an hour, toy which time the fire had been got so far under, as to remove any imminent danger to the neighbouring property. The building having been originally built of strong pole, the quantity of combustible materials was great, and the fire continued to smoulder throughout the night, and required to be watched. The value of the property consumed is not great, but scarcely anything could be rescued from the flames. Mr. Monsou is a sufferer to some extent, having lost some wearing apparel and his cash box, the contents of which, being m notes, was entirely consumed. The building was of little value, having been erected m the earliest days of the settlement ; and had not the Provincial Government expended a considerable sum m repairs, which were going on, its destruction would scarcely be regretted, as it was totally unfit for the object to which it was applied. At the time of the fire there was but one prisoner confined for a petty offence, who laboured so assiduously to save the building, that he was much burned ; aud we understand that a representation has been made to his Honour the Superintendent, praying for his release. This is the first occasion of a fire of any extent having occui'red m Otago, and it would be well for the public to take some steps to procure necessary' implements to extinguish lire ; for, had the gaol been situated m the more populous parts of the town, with so high a wind blowing, there can be no doubt that the result would have been most serious, and the destruction of property very great. — Otago Witness.