FIRES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 414, 25 March 1899, Page 2

FIRES.

HAMILTON WESLEYAN PARSON ACE TOTALLY DESTROYED.

Ahout 1 a.m. yesterday morning the Wesleyan Parsonage at Hamilton was totally destroyed by (ire. All the inmates of the house retired to rest about 10 p.m., at which time everything appeared safe. Shortly after 1 a.m., however, Dr. Hosking was awakened by an unusual sound, and on gutting up he found that tho back portion of the building was a mass of flames. He quickly roused his neice and nephew, who were compelled to leave without waiting to complete toilet preparations. A number of neighbours were soon on the spot, and finding that the house was too far gone, they devoted their energies towards saving the outbuildings, with the result that the tiro was prevented from speading to the shed containing the buggy and harness. Dr. Hosking gives ic as his opinion that the fire originated near the bathroom, but those who were first to reach the fire state that the outbreak to all appearances took place in the kitchen, and as there had been a fire in that room all the evening, it is highly probable that this is where the fire really did commence. The doctor's loss is a serious one, for his valuable library containing upwards of 2500 books many raro and now out of print—which he had collected in his travels iu various parts of the world, was consumed, and this it will be impossible to replace. In addition, the stereos of a book containing 540 odd pages, which Dr. Hosking published some years ago, wero lost, and, strange to say, he was contemplating bringing out another edition at the time of their destruction. These alone would take a small fortune to replace. All the insurance policies and £7 or £8 in notes were also lost. We understand that among the few things saved was the magic lantern, which was packed up on the verandah ready to go to Cambridge, and a portion of the church records. Mrs Hosking, who is at present in Auckland, looses some valuable presents and jewellery. Tho insurances are as follows : Books and stereos, £250 in the National; personal effects, £l5O in New Zealand ; building £175 and furniture £IOO in the New Zealand* Office. We understand that the work of re-building will be commenced right away. THRESHING PLANT BURNT. On Wednesday evening a fire occurred at Eureka, near Tauwhare, by which a large stack and the threshing plant of the New Zealand Land Association were destroyed. Tho machine had been working all day, and the men had only knocked off for about half an hour when smoke and flames were seen issuing from the stack, and by the time the men arrived on the scene nothing could bo done beyond shifting the engine out of danger. It is supposed that a spark from the engine ignited the stack, although everything looked perfectly safe when work closed for tho day. Mr R. Crawford, one ef the employees, lost a new saddle and bridle, which he had previously to leaving placed under the stack for safety, while the saddles of those who were not quite so careful remained unharmed. As far as we can learn there was no insurance.