THE LATE DISASTROUS FIRE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 88, 17 September 1873, Page 2

THE LATE DISASTROUS FIRE.

further particulars. [From the New Zealand Herald of the 9th inst.] During the whole of yesterday a large number of people visited the scene of the late conflagration in Queen-street. The fire still smouldered on during the day, and as darkness came on the flames lighted up unchecked, although it was perhaps hardly possible for any more damage to be done. During yesterday the sufferers by the fire were engaged in removing such furniture and stock as had been saved from the places in which they had been temporarily deposited, but we observed that the billiard table and appendag-s saved from the Anchor Hotel remained during the day in Queen-street as if wanting an owner. This table was insured just a day before the fire in the New Zealand Insurance Office, but was rescued u short time before the flames had reached the Anchor Hotel. We regret to learn that Mr. F. Williams still lies in a dangerous condition at the Army and Navy Hotel. He had been ailing for some days, and the sudden shock to his system, occasioned by the fire left him throughly prostrated. It is to be hoped that by skilful treatment he will recover. Mr. Williams was insured in the Scottish Commercial for £350. With regard to the Market-house, it is a matter of congratulation that this building did not fall a prey to the flames. As a proof of the narrow escape the Market-house rat, we might mention that the wooden kerbing on tie opposite side of the street, approaching the market from Queen-street, in burnt to a cinder, end will require replacing. The City Council had taken the precaution to insure the new buildingfor £3OOO, which insurance was effected in the South British Insurance Office. Consequential damages will fall on this office to the extent of about £lOO in repairs; but the company may consider tlemselves fortunate that the damage is no worst. The scorched and blackened end of the Queen-street entrance to the Market is evidence of the fiery ordeal through which the building has gote. Referring to the accident that happened in Wellesley-Btreet, we are placed in possession of additional particulars. It appears that it being found □ecesiary to carry the hose on to the roof of the premites adjoining Mr. M. Marks’ pawnshop, three pertons essayed to gain the roof by scaling the verandah. The united weight of these brought the structure to the ground, seriously injuring those who fell. Amongst these was a man named Murphy, a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, who has received severe injuries to his left-leg, which will incapacitate him from business for sohm time. He is by trade a blacksmith, and the accident is more to be regretted because he has a wife and family dependent upon his exertions for support. Another named Fulljames was also hurt; also another, whos 4 - we have been unabl» to ascertain. We -referred yesterday to the tarrow escape of afr. jDass’s shop. This was fue almost entirely t o the action taken by Mr. Hooper and the Messrs. Dickey—the former in supplying an unlimited quantity of water, and the latter is distributing a lann nii°My .°f bx>n bucket* tb carry the same. Nearly nfoy *»en were engaged in thia work, and but for the copious supply of . water thus obtained, (W« corner woukf have ignited from the ifoente heat tfeat wes Arown across the road from bma tbaHWited Service gallons of water, and it was the intention of the

proprietor, as soon as this supply had failed, to have turned on the beer, of which nearly 10,000 gallons is estimated to have been available. Fortunately this was not required, or it would have proved an expensive mode of putting out a fire. Messrs. James Smart and Co.’s premises suffered slightly by the fire, but there was no attempt made to remove the stock, as this was not considered necessary. Mr. Grey, the confectioner, was insured for £260 in the Norwich Union, and £lOO in the Scottish Commercial. He values his stock, however, at £478. A further inspection of Whitson’s brewery yesterday, convinced us of the marvellous escape that building had had. The part known as the old brewery is not of a fireproof nature, and was in close proximity to the fire, but owing to the strenuous exertions of those « in Messrs. Whitson’s employ, the Insurance Companies have been relieved from heavy losses. Mrs. Watson, who occupied a grocer’s shop, also owned the building. She is peculiarly unfortunate, having the property mortgaged to the amount of the insurance. She, therefore, loses al!. Messrs. Blair and Lambert were insured for £2OO only in the Norwich Union, while they estimate the value of their stock between £lOOO and £1,200. Mr. Williams, the cutler, in Wellesleystreet, estimates the value of his stock and tools destroyed at £2OO. One-half this amount was covered by insurance in the Scottish Commercial. Ah Kew was also insured in the same office for £2OO, but his losses must be nearly £3OO. With reference to the buildings destroyed, we are informed that the leases of them are within a few years of expiration. They contain no covenant with regard to fire, and the lessee is, therefore, not compelled to replace the building destroyed. On the other hand, the lessors are not likely to rebuild the premises for the same low rentals hitherto charged. Some arrangements will necessarily have to be come to in order to make good the damage done by the fire, or the ground must lie idle until the leases expire. Complaints have been made that the water from the stand-pipe at the junction of Upper Queen and Grey-streets, was unavailable. We find that this was owing to the standard cock having been broken off through rough usage, thus rendering it impossible to turn on the water. Blame is certainly due somewhere, as the standpipes ought to be kept in proper order, and ready for use in case of emergency.