LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1334, 26 July 1883, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESFOIfDEKT.) DESTRVOTION , BY.IFIHE of the Union. Sash and Door Company's Factory at Mechanic's Bay. AUCKLAND. At three o’clock on Wednesday morning) the fire-alarms pealed forth, and a lurid--glare indicated a serious conflagration in Mechanic’s Bay. The Union Sash and Door Company’s Factory was on fire. Owing to horses not being available, the brigade had to drag their gear to the scone, which they reached in an exhausted state. Captain Field followed with the Salvage Corps. With all possible speed the hose was attached to the Stanley street pump, but the hose was not of sufficient length to allow the water to be used with nn.o'i effect. The fire made its way across the street, igniting the stacked timber, which burned fiercely. The brigade under Superintendent Hughes did all that men could do with the appliances at hand, and succeeded in confining the conflagration to the Factory and adjacent timber yard, the fire exhausting itself in due time, The reflection illuminated the whole city. A tremendous gale was blowing from the north east, carrying clouds of sparks, which!' greatly endangered the Company’s stores V where the stocks of manufactured goods*were kept. The kerosene bonded store was also in danger However, being constructed of galvanised iron, and being sheltered by the high hailway embankment, they came off scatheless. Sadrks fell in immense quanta ties among the houses in Official Bay and Altom road, but all fears wore allayed, as the heavy rain falling at the time prevented any * damage that might otherwise have accrued. The Company’s offices wore saved, but the huts of the carters and all .the stabling accommodation was totally destroyed. No cause can bo assigned for the fire, but incendiarism is suspected, as the watchman reports that he heard a crash of glass, and immediately after the flames burst out. Mr Greer, one of the watchmen employed by the Company, made the following statement i—“ There are two nightmen employed on the premises, each having a separate division, with tell-tales in each division to 1 act as a check on them. My round was in | the lower division. At a quarter to throe < o’clock this morning, I heard the sound of glass breaking near the breaking-down machinery. I went to ascertain the cause, and immediately a sheet of flame burst out, I called out to Quinlan, the other watchman, and gave the alarm, Quinlan got the hose ready and in work, while I rung the bell. There was a gale, and the ringing could not be heard any distance, Some delay arose in getting help. Mr Holland, painter, passed the building at about twenty minutes to three in a cab, and sew no indications of fire. He states that when the cab got along the road, he saw the flames suddenly burst out. He immediately drove to the Wakefield-street fire bell, and rang it. A heavy north-east gale passed over the city last night. No damage in town. A timber barge dragged her anchor, and was driven on to the North Shore lower wharf, •. arrying it away. The barque Gaselle, lately seized by H.M.’ Customs, was driven on to the reef at Ponsonby. Mr. Kidd’s coach-builders’ shed, Devonport, was burned down last night, Mrs. Ansell, aged 75, was found drowned g, in a well in Ponsonby to-day, dressed in her night dress. The shop of Mr. Lewis, jeweller, on the wharf, was last night robbed of goods to the value of £73. The social gathering of the Hibarnian Society was held on Tuesday, About 500 persons were present, Bishop Luck delivered an address, Sydney Taiwhanga has been arrested on a charge of wife desertion. His wife has been arrested for drunkenness, NAPIER, Wednesday. y A furious north east gale set in on Tuesday night and is still raging. Captain Edwin predicts heaviest easterly gale and floods ever experienced within the last 8 years. WELLINGTON. The ship Oxford is in quarantine. During the voyage throe deaths occurred from typhoid fever. All the passengers, except those laid up with fever, enjoyed excellent health on the voyage, It is expected that the majority of the passengers will Isavo Soamoa Island in a day or two.