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PALMERSTON.

(from odb own correspondent.) , Palmerston North, March 11. A fire broke out about half-past, 11 o’clock last night at the stables belonging to Mr. Owen’s Clarendon Hotel. Most people, as it was Sunday evening,, were naturally in bed at that timej but the fire-bell very soon brought nearly all the fire brigade and a good many others to the spot. The wind, which was very high, was blowing direct from the stables to the hotel, and some idea of the danger may be gathered from the fact that large pieces of burning wood were carried over the hotel to the houses on the other side of the square. Another great source of danger was a pile of some ten or tiyelye cords of firewood stacked in a direct line from the fire to the main building. Had this fairly ignited, nothing could have saved the hotel, and many other houses would in that case have also been doomed to destruction. The fire brigade, assisted by volunteers, soon showed what combination and discipline can do. Some were on the shingled roof, with a chain of men passing backets of water to them, while others devoted themselves to the stack of firewood, and to the fire itself. For.more than anhour itwas extremely doubtful if the main buildings could possibly be saved, but by extraordinary exertions the fire wai eventually got under. I need hardly point out how much risk and labor would have been saved if there had been at hand a fire-engine, and it is to be hoped that the insurance companies will now see the necessity of giving one to the brigade. The various insurance companies were on this occasion saved thousands of pounds by the exertions of the brigade and volunteers, and the least these companies can now do in return is, in my opinion, to come down handsomely for the equipment and support of the Yolunteer Brigade. In addition to the stables, a storehouse belonging to Mr. McNeill, and containing a large quantity of contractor's plant, was destroyed, and also many small outbuildings belonging to the hotel and neighboring houses. The cause of the fire is at present unknown. We are still without a head schoolmaster, as it appeares that Mr. Horne’s appointment has been for the second time cancelled, at his own request. This is certainly rather a curious way of doing business, and most unfair to Palmerston North. The local -paper has engaged a new editor from Dunedin. I hear that the natives are destroying pigeons by hundreds about here, and that three bushels were brought into town by one party. Perhaps some of your readers can say whetherthe geuerallyreceived opinion, that the Animals Protection Act of 1873 does not apply to natives, is correct. If so, there ought to be some change made, or very soon there will be but few pigeons or ducks left in the district.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18780314.2.15

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5294, 14 March 1878, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
484

PALMERSTON. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5294, 14 March 1878, Page 3

PALMERSTON. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5294, 14 March 1878, Page 3

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