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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5682, 16 June 1879, Page 2

Sunday, June loth; will be memorable in the annals of Wellington as the night of the Great Fire. The burning of the handsome Opera House/ which cost nearly £II,OOO, will be regretted by all our townsfolk, and is almost a national loss. Strangers to this town have invariably acknowledged the merits of the building of our Opera House, and it was generally regarded as one of the prettiest structures in the colonies. At about eight o’clock last night the custodian, who lived within the building, noticed the fire between the dome of the building and the roof of the upper circle. It is the opinion of those best qualified to judge that, the- large corona or sunlight at the head of the dome must have been the cause of the fire. It had been alight for a great many hours on Saturday, both for the afternoon and the long evening performance, and it is more than likely that some of the woodwork became heated, and smouL dered until last night, when the wind sprung up. When a great calamity takes place such as that which it is now our painful duty to record, critics are unfortunately too numerous, and if we undertake to point out one or two of the most obvious deficiencies, it is with no desire to detract from the very-excel-lent work done by the brigades. The branchmen in front -of Mr. Whitehouse’s grocery especially distinguished themselves. With blankets wrapped round them, enveloped in perfect clouds of smoke, and exposed to a scorching heat, they may pride themselves upon having saved a very large block of buildings. They were well backed by the energetic efforts of the newly enrolled Naval Brigade, of whom some 70 members were on the ground, and all of whom worked very hard to subdue the flames. Having ho uniform, they tied ahandkerchief round their arms, as a mark that they belonged to the corps, and did really good service both at Te Aro Houseand rTe r Aro Grocery. The lamentable deficiency of the water-supply quite crippled, the efforts of ths brigades. From whatever cause, the jets were often absurdly weak, and altogether inadequate: to check :the progress of the flames. A good steam fireengine would have been exceedingly valuable at such a juncture. The bay was cloce to the scene of the fire, with an inexhaustible water-supply, and yet it was practically useless, as only a couple of hand-engines, which were well served and energetically worked, were able to take advantage of - its proximity.! At one time it seemed more than likely that the fire would spread into an adjoining block, and the question arose whether it would not be advisable to blow up certain buildings with a view of checking the advance of the conflagration. When theqhestion was under consideration, dt, appeared, to the bystanders that there was co one who wielded the necessary authority to compel the adoption of the course, and we hope that the necessity of a commander-in-chief having been clearly shown, steps will be at once taken to appoint some one to ' the office. At one o’clock this morning the streets-were still crowded, and carts and expresses were busy carrying off the salvaged goods. We trust that the catalogue of losses published 'in another column may yet be considerably reduced ; and while we deeply deplore the calamity which has befallen the city, we believe that the lesson which has 1 been inculcated will not be lost. Last night’s fire we regard as a painful proof of the absolute necessity ol securing for a wooden town an -inexhaustible supply of water at ;a- high pressure, il any degree of safety from tire is desired. But for the gallant efforts made by the brigades last night,' three dr four times the loss recorded would most likely have been sustained. We; were unable <to ascertain the insurances last night,'.,the agents being unable to give definite information without first referring’ to ' their official records/• •:T / ■ ■ ■