GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON. ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BURNED DOWN. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. Wellington, May 9.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 50, 17 May 1884, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON. ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BURNED DOWN. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. Wellington, May 9.

St. John's Presbyterian Church and schoolroom, Willis-street, were totally destroyed 'by fire this morning about 6 o'clock. The iire broke out in the school-room, which had not been open since Tuesday night. The ttames soon got a complete mastery, and the water supply was deficient. The Fire Brigade had been turned out an hour before to a fire in a brick-yard in Tory-atreet. A high wind was blowing, and tho flamos spread from the school-room to tho Church and could not be checked. The organ, books music, carpets, and everything movable, were got out. Tho Church was insured in tho South British Oilico for £3,000. The library, records, and harmonium in theschoolroom were destroyed. The firo spread to the private residenco of Mr Spinks, the Te Aro llotol, Jameson's grocery and soveral other buildings in Willis - street were partially destroyed. On the north side of the Church a private dwelling and a large two • story workshop were completely gutted, At one time it seemed likely to sweep tho whole street, as the roofs of several houses at a distance from the Church were on fire. The Wellington Dorcas Society lose their sewing machine and other property, which was in the school-room.