THE FIRE OF FRIDAY.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 451, 21 August 1850, Page 3

THE FIRE OF FRIDAY.

Again H become 1 ? our painful duty to make record of a conflagration, wnich, in dcHtructivenosi, fur tX' ceeds any that have hitherto visited our devoted city. The very heart ol the business portion of San Francisco ii in ruins, and mm who in the morning reckoned their wealth by tuns of thousands, eie noon were penniless. This is the third great fire within six months, and unions buildings of a more lubstantiul nature nic constructed, it would not be unsafe to predict uu equal amount of loss before the end of the year. A vast amount of the property destroyed ycßterduy was in the hands of commi<'Rion merchants, and heavy losses will fall funon the shippers, principuly in New England and New York. The result of this will be that the nxMcbxuts in the Atlantic States will cense to ship their goods on commission, for they will have no confidence in the safety of their property. Our merchants u ill be compelled to bond cash with their orders, and we (car that many now trading extensivelly in the commission linn, will ere long find that their business has dwindled to u mear shadow of former days. To our own citizens the losb can be safely stated nt ■^5,000,000 Under such a blow our young city stnggcis and groans, nnd fiom its effects we fear it will require a long time for her to entirely leeover. There is, however, with no, almost superhuman energy, and this calamity cannot ciush it. Many of our old residents— men who have don c much towaids advancing the prosperity of SinFiaiicisco—are. among the losers by this Sid calamity. — Eininentlyjamong these btand Messrs. Mellus, llowaid & Co., who fora number of years have tanked as the most conspicious merchants, and who contributed largely towards every movement to advance the best interests of tho city. Messrs. I'mley, Johnson & Co., Alfied kubinßon, nnd others, names with the me and progreis of our city, are enumerated with the severest sufferers. No city in the world so much needs nn efficient Ire department us Sim Francisco, and jet none have a more defective one. We hope the firfet business of the , city will be to construct reservoirs, for nt piefcnt the few fire engines with us arc of lutle use, because of the great scarcity of water. The lire might have been confined to the building in which it originated, had but one engine been early oh the spot, and obtained uccuss to a Bupply of water. We preceivo thnt an ordinance is beloro the City Council, prohibiting th« erection of wooden struetions of more than fifteen feet in height. Wo look upon this as a good move, and if it is adopted will materially aid in preventing the spread of (ires, and we really cannot pcrd-ive how any sciious objections can bo urged ugainbt it.— Alia Calijornia, June 15.