CRICKET MATCH. FIRE IN DEVON STREET, NEW PLYMOUTH.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 274, 28 November 1877, Page 2

CRICKET MATCH.

FIRE IN DEVON STREET, NEW PLYMOUTH.

The opening match between the HnwcraWaihi v Carlyle teams was ployed at Waihi on Saturday last. The weather was all that could be desired, and was the means of drawing a good number of the fair sex to witness the contest.

Carlyle won the toss and sent in their opponents first, two of whom quickly succumbed to the bowling - of Jacomb. Brcresfoid again sustained his previous title of champion, and appeared likely to repeat his late feat of carrying- out his bat, when lie unfortunately ran himself out, after playing a careful innings for 1G runs. He was loudly cheered by both teams on returning to the tent. Smith and Johnstone also did equally good service lor their team, scoring 1G each respectively. These were the only three who succeeded in making double figures, the rest being disposed of without much difficulty, the bowling of Fetch being remarkably good. The innings eventually closed for 70 runs. The Carlyle team then took the wickets, and succeeded in knocking up 48 before being disposed of, the highest scores of which were made by Messrs Baggett, Fraser, Coutts, and Fetch. F. Bayly was bowling in his usual stylo, and being well on the spot, made the obtaining of long scores a difficult matter. In the second innings the Haweva team made 57 runs, 11 of which were contributed by Breresford, and 9 by iiiddiford, the latter making the greatest hit of the da}’, being a clean drive over the tents into the adjoining paddock for G. This gave Carlyle 80 to get to win, and as there was only about and hour left for play, their chance was doomed hopeless. However, they went to the wickets with pluck and determination to retrieve, as far as possible, the fortune of the day, and had succeeded in reaching 26, of which Jacomb had made 12 and Coutts G (not out), when time was called and the stumps drawn, Hawera thus winning in the first innings by 22 runs. The playing of Coutts, who is quite a boy, was much admired. He is a promising young player, having plenty of pluck and confidence, and with practice and proper tuition, will eventually make a first-class bat. The greatest good feeling prevailed throughout the game, which passed off without any accidents worth mentioning, and after the usual three cheers for each team, horses were caught, and the players were soon en route for their respective destinations.

[FROM OUR OWN correspondent.] A fire broke out about one o’clock this (Sunday) morning-, in the shop belonging to Miss Retford, tobacconist, Devon Street, which resulted in the building being totally destroyed. The premises were locked up about eleven o’clock on Saturday night, and all the fires were put out before Mr Potts closed the door. The fire was first discovered by Mr Oliver (clerk to Mr Rennell), who, seeing some fire in the shop, broke a window, and got inside, when ho tried to stain]? it out, but finding that the whole of the counter was on fire, he got into the street again and then alarmed the neighbours. He also ran to the fire-bell on the hill, and shortly afterwards there was a large number of people on the spot, but, notwithstanding that every effort was made to allay the fire, the place was burnt to the ground, there being not a stick left standing. A few days ago the old buildings at the corner of Devon Street, and nest this shop, had been removed, so that Miss Retford’s shop stood alone, and was separated from Mr Callaghan’s and the block of buildings adjoining, by the liver and the railway. This saved Callaghan’s, but the heat was so great from the fire that all his windows were broken on the side of his house, and at one time the roof was in flames. The engine was soon at play, but the hose burst and caused some delay. The railway board at the crossing was burnt, and the frame of the cow-catcher charred. The wind at the time of the fire was very light, but had it been blowing strong nothing could have saved Callaghan’s. Jackson’s shoe shop in Brougham Street, was not touched as the wind was not in that direction. The block is now clear, so the owner of the corner section may have the opportunity of buying Miss Retford out, when there will be space for a fine building,

which, now the place is going ahead ought and no doubt will be put up. The insurance on the building and stock was as follows—Building: New Zealand Insurance £IOO, South British £2OO. Stock New Zealand Insurance £6OO.