DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1955, 12 October 1889, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT GERALDINE.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE RBY. • <3K BARCLAY’S RESIDENCE. For the first time during the last four years a fire occurred at Geraldine ; on Thursday evening last, when the Rev. G. Barclay’s ten-roomed dwelling- ! house with all his books and papers, and a great part of his furniture was completely destroyed. Mr Barclay was on one of his usual visits to the Mackenzie Country at the time and was expected home that evening. Mrs Barclay had with Mrs Dunlop and the Rev. Mr Archibald gone down to Mr Stewart’s, Orari, leaving home about 1 o’clock. No fire had been used in the house since the first thing in the morning, and had been carefully put out at 10 o’clock, previous to locking up the house before leafing for Mr Stewart’s. About seven in the evening MrW. Ellery was riding by the place and saw smoke issuing from under the roof. Seeing nobody about, and thinking the chimney was smoking in a rather peculiar manner, he went to the back to inform those inside, but found nobody about and the house locked up. Looking through the window he saw that a fire was burning strongly along the mantelpiece in the kitchen. He immediately mounted his horse and rode through, the town, giving the alarm. Messrs J. Riordan, C. Groves, and W. Fleming were the first to reach the house, Mr J. A. Quin arriving shortly afterwards. The greater part of the house was built many years ago, but the owner had recently had erected, at a considerable cost, two large rooms, that constituted in themselves a fair-sized dwelling; The whole building had just been thoroughly repaired and renovated, the work having been passed and taken over just a week or two ago. Those first at the fire found that the flames had got a good hold of the older portion of the building, and though every effort was made to reach the library and save the valuable collection of books and papers stored there, it was found impossible t© do so. The two new rooms, which were farthest away from the seat of the fire, were as yet untouched by the flames. These had been splendidly furnished, and it was determined, if possible, to save the furniture. The windows were (taken out in a twinkling, and thanks to the efforts of those first

there, and the crowd crowd that commenced to gather fast, every scrap of furniture, the pictures, what books there were in these rooms, the carpets, and, in fact, every article that it wai possible to moye was safely taken out. Even the registered grates, the mantelpieces and the sash weights were taken out, Thanks to the greenness of the timber and plastering the fire did not get a fair hold of these rooms till about three quarters of an hour after the first alarm, and when the older portion of the building was almost entirely consumed. Had there been even the most primitive fire brigade, or even a good supply of buckets and water, these rooms could have been saved easily. As it was there was only a well and a bucket to draw the water with (the water race unfortuiately not being available without an engine and hose) and these were almost useless. After the crowd had succeeded in saving the furniture, etc, they had simply to stand and see the new building go. Fortunately there was little or no wind at the time, and a number of sacks placed on the shed, and kept constantly wet, saved that structure. A small detached building near the house, about 10ft x 12ft, was pulled down by the crowd, as it was feared this would conduct the fire to the stable. Although there were sufficient persons present to have carried or dragged this buildiag away bodily, it was completely smashed. Everything, however, that could have been done to save the property was done, and nothing remained but to watch the new portion of the house consumed. Very general regret was expressed that nothing could be done to save this. Mr Barclay arrived from the Mackenzie Country between 7 and 8 o'clock. When near the town he picked up Dr Fish, and as they drove through the street they remarked casually that someone appeared to be burning goree near Mr Barclay's property, when a person told them what had occurred. Mrs Barclay and Mr Archibald were also driving up from the Grari, and were speculating as to what was burning, when they were abruptly informed as to what it was. . The building and furniture were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company, the house for £BOO and the furniture for £7OO. The house was insured some yesrs ago ; and it had been allowed to run on, but Mr Barclay ia a very great lose*. The whole of his books and papers—the labor and gathering of years—with everything in the way of clothes, etc., were destroyed. The Eev. Mr Archibald is also a great loser, as nearly all his possessions were in the house, and he had not a penny of insurance on anything. Very great sympathy is felt for both the rev. gentlemen in their loss. All their manuscripts and books —the results of the study and gatherings of their lives—have thus been swept away at once. The crowd worked well, and thoso who were first on the scene certainly deserve some very substantial recognition at the hands of the Insurance Company interested for the great saving ot furniture they effected, between £2OO

and £3OO worth having been got out. It being parade night a number of the Geraldine Rifles were present, and some of these were told off by Lieut. Ward to keep an eye on the rescued goods, to prevent any damage or theft taking place. Mr J. Rennie'a express was obtained, and for an hour or two he was busy removing the furniture to the Volunteer Hall, where it was taken at the instance of Mr R. Morrison, the agent of the insurance company interested. The fire was first discovered at seven o'clock, and it was not till nine o'clock that the last wall was pushed inward. There being no fire-bell in Geraldine it was some time before the fact that it was a house on fire was known to a great many, most people imagining that it was either a straw stack on fire or someone buraing gorse, a fire in Geraldine being such an uncommon occurrence that the townspeople never thought of attributing the blaze to a I house oa fire. It has happened very fortunately that the new manse adjoining the Presbyterian Church just completed, and Mr Barclay will bo able to take up his residence there immediately. How the fire started is a mystery. Mrs Barclay left everything safe aaparently when she started for the Orari,. and every door and window was locked when the fire was first discovered. That it commenced near the fireplace there is no doubt, as Mr Ellery saw the mantel-piece blazing. The only conjecture is that some portion of the woodwork must, either from a defective chimney or some other cause, have caught and been smouldering since the morning.