ANOTHER BIG BLAZE IN WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8269, 24 October 1906, Page 5

ANOTHER BIG BLAZE IN WELLINGTON.

POUR HOUSES IN NEWTOWN DESTROY ED. DAMAGE AMOUNTS TO £4,000. WATER SUPPLY AGAIN DEFECTIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 23. Yesterday's series of tires was continued to-day with a big blaze in Mein Street, Newtown. The result was that three houses were demolished, and one structurally ruined. Tbe insurances run to about £3,000 and tbe damage amounts to £4,000. The water supply was again defeotlve, the break in the Wainui main not being repaired, hut the supply improved after tne firemen had been at work for an hour or so. The wind changed from north to south, and this undouhtedy saved the bouses on the south side cf the street, but it placed the Victoria Home for cbronio invalids, which is just above Mein Street, in a preoarious position, and the Home was only saved after a great exertion. In order to help to save the Home tbe hospital staff and a number of navvies working In the neighbourhood rallied to the scene and did splendid work. All the patients (some forty in number) were removed. Tbe connecting wooden fences □ear tbe Home were demolished with some Intervening sheds, in order to leave the flames nc means of approach. The labour necessary to preserve the building was immense, but it succeeded. Those buildings in Mein Street destroyed by Are were occupied by Mrs Stevens, Mrs Chant, Mr Twist, and Mr Miller. Tbe outbreak had its origin in the washbouse at Mrs Chant's house, the wall of whioh ignited. The occupants of the Viotoria Borne were removed book to their quarters in the evening. During the afternoon they were visited by Lady Plunket, who motored oat to the scene on learning -of the peril in whioh tbe building waß placed by the Are.