THE FIRE AT PATUTAHT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 179, 10 July 1884, Page 2

THE FIRE AT PATUTAHT.

Constable Tronson reports that, from instructions received, he has made inquiries re the fire that caused the destruction of a woolshed, the property of Mr. Peach, of Patutahi, on the night of the 5111 instant, and which was suspected to be the work of an incendiary. Everything appeared perfectly safe at 1.30 p.m. on the sth instant, on which day Mr. Calcott was the last person in the building. The next morning Mr. Calcott sent his children to the shed to get some clothes, which he had placed there with his other effects, and they returned and told him it was burned down. Mr. Calcotc when going to see for himself met a man on the road between the Woolshed and his house, named Fitz Ricliart. They did not speak, and Mr. Calcott thought that this man might have stayed in the shed over night, and therefore know something about the fire, but from the particulars regarding him and his conduct, the constable sees nothing to connect llichart with the lire. Mr. Peach, the owner of the property, does not suspect any incendarism, and says the shed was swarming with rats, and he thinks the fire was caused through them. The shed is valued at £25, and is uninsured. Mr. Calcott cannot estimate his loss.

The Pastoral Downs Bill, introduced by the Govsrnment of New South Waffs in the local Parliament, will, it is said, if adopted, add 4,700 miles of permanent water to the natural resources of the country.