SHORTLAND FIRE RELIEF FUND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 245, 22 July 1872, Page 3

SHORTLAND FIRE RELIEF FUND.

A meetino of the -sub-committee of the Shorthand Fire Relief Fund was held on Saturday afternoon, at Butt’s Hotel. Present : Messrs Macdonald (in the chair), Lloyd, Burgess, Cox, Stewart, Crick, Dixon, foung, and Butt—the last two being added, on the motion of Mr Crick. The Chairman said the chief business this afternoon would be to hear wliat the sufferers had to say as to their losses. The first who came forward was Frederick Bryant,, who stated that lie was a married man, with a wife and five children, of whom the eldest was ten years old. Was a tenant of Mr Driver at the time of the fire. Some of his property was burned, some destroyed, and some removed. The house was pulled down, but some goods were left. Estimates his losses at £2o—a gold watch and chain, pair of ear-rings, silver table-spoon, mahogany table, butchers’ tools, one bed, clothing of self and family, &c. The Iniise was next, the old Bank of New Zealand. The fire interrupted the business he was carrying on. Mrs Ritchie stated that her husband was not present to-day, in consequence of illness. Had a family ot' eight ehildr n, lhe eldest being 17 years old, and at work. The house belonged to her husband, as did also the one adjoin ng, which was used as a school. Lost about £ls or £2O wort of things by tin-fire—clothes, baking tins, boilers, five or six iron bedsteads, a large quantity of pumpkins ; other things, such as bedding, were taken into tli street, and partially damaged, to the extent of £4 or £5. Herself nnd her bushand paid for building the house at a cost of about £IBO, and another house was bought for £2O. The houses were built in the early days of the goldfield, wlum timber was much dealer. Had an offer of £3OO for one of the houses (which used to he a bakery), but since could have bought a dozen houses for the money. The school is now broken up, and the children scattered, ami Mr Ritchie has no private means. James Smyth staled that lie is a married man, with a wife and four children, the eldest is between eight and ni ie years of age. None of them are earning anything. Was a tenant of Mr Driv. r. C«rri don a stal ionei’s shop. Sustained damage to s:ock of £l2 to £ls. Is a working engineer. Has no priv.de means. Matthias Whitehead stated that he had a wile and one child, and occupied a house belonging to Mr Marks, in whose employment lie was as storeman. Sustained loss by the fire to the extent of £3O in things burned, destroyed, and lost, consisting of clothing and household effects. Would be well satisfied if lie got. half the value of what he lost. Is employed by Marks and Co., and is authorised to state their loss, s to the Committee. Mr Marks owned his own shop, and Mr Whitehead’s and Smale’s. He has also premises in Grahamstown and Auckland. Hie value of the buildings is £l5O or £2OO (£4OO was the original cost in good times). Most of the stock was saved. Nothing was insured. Mr Marks lias a partner. There was no lease of these premises. He bought them for £4OO. Joseph Kavanagli, a married man, with three children, of whom the eldest is 14, at service. Owned the house at the rear of Mr Marks’. It cost £35. Sav- d nothing but blankets—everything else was destroyed. Had to .cut a way out through Mr Fitzgibbon’s place to the beacii. Esitmates his total loss at £6O. The house stood on Mr Marks’ propeity. Did not pay rent. ' Richard Hales, a married man, with wifo and nine children, the eldest of whom is a girl of 17. None of them are earning anything. Everything was burned except a pair of boots and and some spittoons. Could not replace the loss for less than £l3O. Is engaged in mining. The things destroyed consisted chiefly of clothing, bedding, books, and furniture.

George Smales stated that his mother has nine children —two at work, and seven at home ; the eldest is a girl of 18. Was burned out, and had a lot of things destroyed. Cannot estimate the money value, hut his mother will inform Mr Young before Monday. John Holloway : Is a single man. Was the owner of a house which was burned down, and all the things in it. Has been in the hospital for three months, and lett a man iu charge. Has saved nothing hut some timber. \ .dues his loss at T. 3.

John Duke Huxley: Married man with a wife and five children, four of whom reside at home and are dependent ou him. The eldest of these is 21. Owned the house he occupied, which is now burned down wilii everything in it, except a sewing machine, a lamp, and two coats, two pair of trousers, and a few other articles

of clothing. Was next to the house which first caught fire, and had'only about three minutes to clear out. Estimates his total loss at £250. Has a lease of the property from Mr Stewart. Mrs Harrison, widow, landlady of the Melbourne Hotel recently burned down, stated that she owned that house and four others. One small cottage was saved. Had fifteen furnished bedrooms and a large quantity of beddingr clothing, etc. Saved about two dozen stout from the bar. A large quantity of furniture, was destroyed. Estimates the value of the hotel itself at from £6OO to £7OO. the howling alley £2OO, Gerish’s place £9O. stock £2O. Do-s not think £2OOO would cover her loss. Has worked hard field". If the committee would place her as she was before, she would he quite satisfied. Has no means to meet the Joss. There was nothing in Evans’house belonging to him. It belong'd to witness. She wanted him to leave the place, as lie was in arrears of rent. He said lie would not go unless witness g;ive him £lO, and Mrs Evans told witness if she did not give it him she would rue the day, “and so I have,” a Ided ivitm ss, “ end a good many more.” There were 20 or 30 solid wooden halls in tie pine wln n Evans and liis wife took tin*.place, and th -y are missing altogether.

Thomas Douglas stated that* he is a married man, with a wife and six children —the eldest 21. Three are dependent upon him. Had just commenced business as a baker. Lost two hags of Hour, baking utensils, groceries, potatoes, and sundries. Had expended £8 in repairs and improvements on going in. Estimates his loss upai t from that at from £25 to £3O. G -urge Henry Evans stated that he has a wife and four children. T -e eldest is ten years old. Occupied the house known as the howling alley, which was hunted down. Saved nothing hut bed ami look-ing-glass. Estimates Ins losses in eiothi' g, bedding, and furniture at £SO or £6O. The things all belonged to him, except some seals ill the alley, wliieli were Mrs Harrison’s. Formerly liv.-tl in Davystreet, and brought. Ihe things from tie re. Has a shop in Grahamstown. Has no private means. By Mr Young: Mrs Harrison did not let me have any fiirnitme. At. the time of tlie fire there were only three stools. The fire occurred in my place. [Mr Macdonald said the committee was not here to inquire into the origin of the fire, hut merely to inquire into the losses sustained.] James Gcrish is a married man. Has a wife and lour children. llis was the last house burned. Got some of tlie things out, but lost the rest. Had to get mil quickly. Mr Wilkinson was very kind, and took us in. One little boy, after lie was got out of bee, went hack again, and 11 i iso con' used witness that he does not distinctly remember what occurred. Estimates his loss at between £2O an d£3o.

Oliver Grant, painter, is married, and has two children. Owned the house he occupied and that where Gough lived. Saved a small quantity of furniture ami effects. Lost tools, stock-in-trade, and the most of the furniture and clothing. Mr Crick assisted in saving one box containing clothes belonging to Nil's Grant. Estimates tlie value of the houses at £l5O Had a lease and the loss of the goods, &c., at about £2O. Has no means to commence business.

Alfred Gough is married, hut has no family. Rented the house he lived in, which was I>nrued with five tons of firewood. Saved some beddiiur. llis wife keeps a milliner's shop. Lost kitchen utensils, furniture, toys, and other stock. Estimates his loss at about £25. Mrs Gough has re-cnmmeiic d business. William Knight, stated that he is a single man. Had his place pulled down on the eight of the lire. Was the owner of it. Estimates the shop and building at £BO. Lo-t about £l3 worth of meal and shop fillings, &e. Had a sort of lease of the place. Has very little means.

Mrs Lawrenson said she had four child re ll , of whom the eldest is six years oi age. Was burned out on the night o* the fire. The house was next Mrs Harrison. Lost two dr-sses and a clock, £3 10s in money, blankets, washing tubs, sheet?, children's clothing and other tilings. Estimates her loss at £l2 in ad ditinn to ti e£3 10s. Her husband is a miner working at the Sons of Freedom. He was at limnc on the i.ight of the fire. Henry Driver said he was owner of two houses, one of which was burned and the other pulled down. Values the house liurut at £7O, ami that pulled clown at £SO.

William Cole claimed damage to tieextent of tlie value of ...a. coat. Me was bruised on the hack severely by a fulling roof, hut nature would restore that. Will lie satisfied it the committee will replac his coat. Was assisting at the lire. Mrs Ritch, a married woman with onchild, stated tliat she and her husband sustained damages by the loss of furniture, clothing, a sausage machine. &t\, in consequence of tlie lire, the value of which was about £lO. Some harness makes tools were lost, but cannot say wliat they were worth. Captain Butt suggested that there should be an inquest into the origin of the fire. The Chairman (who is a coroner) said if the police could find tlie slightest cm • to proceed lie would see that an inquest was held, hut perhaps it would he premature to commence now. The Committee will meet at Butt’s Hotel at 10 a.m. to-day.