THE FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1805, 20 October 1888, Page 3

THE FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE.

In our last issue we reported the partial destruction of the Sunnjiide Lunatic Asylum by fire. The following partionlars, taken from the Christchurch Frees, will no doubt be of interest: Good Oedbb was Pbebbeted.

Though there was considerable excitement durii g the earlier stages of the fire, this all subsided when the brigade got to work, and they were left to use their own discretion in suppressing the fire. Excellent order was maintained among the patients, both the male and female, and there waa no interference by the public, numbers of whom assisted in removing the furniture. When there was no more of the latter to save the grounds were cleared of all but those who had special business there. The female patients were then quietly conducted to the kitchen, where they received their midday meal, and were subsequently removed to the Immigration Barracks at Addington for the night. THE DESTBOTBD BUILDINGS.

The block which baa been destroyed wa» built in two section*—-the fi/et about thirteen or fourteen years ago in concrete, the second some nine years back in brick and cement ; the whole cost about £32.000. Mr Mountfort was architect, and Mr Seager, brother of the late superintendent, was the contractor. The two wards had dormitories capable of accommodating some thirty patients each, and a similar number conld be honied in the luwer wards that are damaged more by water than by fire. The length of buildings over which the fire spread is about 300 ft and the width a bout 25ft, excluding several gable* which 'project about 60ft. There were 143 patients all told, and many who were invalids had to be carried out. The portion of the building to the westward, beyond the recreation hall, was not occupied by the male patients, though the kitchen, storeroom, etc., were in use. WHKBE THE FIBB OBIGINATBD. A careful examination was made of the spot where the fire was first seen. This was close by.a chimney in Ward O, in a day room adjoining that occupied by the night nurse. The chimney is a stone one, with the usual register grate, and on examining it no trace of any aperture by which fire could be communicated to the beams was discoverable. Bub on closer examination up into the part where the roof came over, a stain as if from a mattress was notio■eable, and there were alio traces of chaff, such as is used for beds. This seemed to indicate that the room, which was a kind cf garret, must have been used as a bedroom. This was immediately over the room occupied by the night nurse, and the indications set m to point to this as the place where the fire originated, as the nurse, who had gone to bed after coming off duty, had only time to escape in her night-dress, the fire coming in so rapidly as to prevent her getting her clothes. The cause ot the fire has yet, of course, to be ascertained, but the appearances certainly seem to point to the conclusion that it occurred in the place referred to. THE QUESTION OF IHBUBANOB, There were no insurances on the building. The Government some time ago made enquiries as to the rate of insurance, but nothing was done towards effecting a policy. BBFAIBS. Repairs will be commenced at once. TELEGRAPHIC. At the inquest on the body of the boy Murphy, who waa killed on the railway at Mount Eden, Auckland, the jury censured the railway authorities for leaving the truck unsecured. The dwelling-house of Mr H. Williams, at Waiuku, Auckland, was burned down on Monday night. The house and furniture were insured for £llO in the South British. The loss is at least double. A house belonging to Mr McLean, of Musselburgh, Dunedin, was burnt down on Thursday night. It was insured in the Standard for £IOO. A bouse at Bannockburn owned and occupied by Mr Parsons, was also destroyed by fire. Insurance, £l6O in the Union. Mr J, Oram Sheppard, manager of the Gity Hotel, Ohristohuroh, was charged at the Police Court yesterday with larceny as a bailee of a promissory note for £94. Mr Martin, for the prosecution, said that the amount of the note bad been paid, and the prosecution were willing to withdraw the charge. Tho bench declined to agree, and remanded the case for a week, allowing bail. The body of Matthew George, one of the two, fishermen drowned in Lake Ellesmere ou October 6th, was found in the lake near Irwell on Wednesday.