Fire at Parawai.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2883, 13 May 1878, Page 2

Fire at Parawai.

Between the hour of midnight and one o'clock this' morning Constable Hogan, of the Grahamstown station, was in the vicinity of the Karaka bridge when he obserred a strong glare of light playing on. the houses at the at the remote end of Shortland, and speedily gave the alarm by ringing the Richmond street fire-bell. A number of members of the Shortland Fire Brigade assembled promptly at the Shortland station, and it being ascertained by the strong glare in the south-eastern sky that the fire lay in the direction of Parawai, headed by Superintendent Macc'onald, and taking with them a hose reel, proceeded towards that suburb. On arrival it was found that the pretty little cottage belonging to Mr A. D. Bennett was in flames, and so far had it succumbed to the fire before the arrival of the Brigade that any attempt at quelling the flames would have been without avail. It appears that Mr Bennett, and a young brother who resides with him, retired to rest about half-past nine, and were awakened at about midnight by a dog, when it was found the house was on fire, and was already too far gone to leave any hope of its being saved. They commenced moving the furniture, and with the help of some neighbors, who were shortly on the scene, succeeded in saving several articles. There were about £110 worth of furniture and other articles consumed, amongst them being four valuable volunteer uniforms, sword, carbines, &c. Only £4f) worth were saved—entirely from the two front, rooms.. Amongst those who assisted Mr Bennett in moving the furniture Messrs,. Buckley, J. A. Miller, and T. MuVphy ,were conspicuous. The furnitufe wasinsured -'iff the Victoria for £250, and the house, which is a sixroomed one, in the Eoyal for £225. Mr Bennett's statement is to the effect that last night his brother and he went to bed at 9 o'clock, which was unusually eerly,bat they did so with the intention of going on a shooting excursion to Totara Point before daybreak; and with that idea Mr Bennett had'brought his valuable breach - loading grn from Mr Savage's. He was awakened at about 12 o'clock by his dog putting its paws on hi* chest and licking his - face. His brother was awakened at the same time, and looking towards-the bedroom door, which was one of the front rooms, Mr Bennett observed a strong glare proceeding from the back part of the house, which he on rising ascertained to be in flames. Partially dressing he ran out and gave the alarm of fire, and returned and commenced moving the furniture from the front rooms, in whioii he was assisted by some neighbors. The majority of the articles in the drawing room were saved, with the exception of a round table, carpet, and some pictures.

When I die, said a married man, J want to go where there is no snow to shovel, his wife said she presumed he would. -