"WAKA" CABLE STATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 34, 1 June 1914, Page 6

"WAKA" CABLE STATION.

. DESTROYED BY FIRE. [Pkb Press Association.] Wellington, June 1. The cable Ration at Wakapuaka was. burned down this morning. There are no details. Wakapuaka is eight miles from Nelson and is the New Zealand cable station of the Eastern Telegraph Company. The cable was opened in 1876. The buildings were not insured, and the loss falls entirely on the Government. The Company's instruments were valued at between £2OOO and £3OOO, and Mere well insured. By-commuiiiCation with Sydney from the shore office has been practically established* sand the Telegraph Department is arranging for communication with Nelson and Wellington. The station was burned to the ground at three o'clock this morning. The fire when discovei'cd had a good hold, and it was seen it was impossible to save the.office, and attention was then turned to the "Bungalow," one of the two buildings used by the staff as quarters. Tin's was only nine or ten feet from the office and soon caught, and was also totally destroyed. The staff by splendid work with meagre appliances, managed to save the building used as quarters. The paint on both these buildings was badly scorched and blistered, and there was an anxjous time until safety was assured. The expense will be very heavy, as only part of one cable instrument (there were three) was saved. Another big item was the destruction of some hundred mile of artificial line. It is hoped to restore communication with Sydney and Wellington or Nelson to-day, as there is a spare set of instruments kept in place on the beach. The cause of the outbreak is a complete mystery. The staff did great work at their quarters. The building destroyed was occupied by six of the staff, the others occupying the large building.