GREAT FIRE AT GREYTOWN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 71, 29 January 1879, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT GREYTOWN.

It is with deep regret that wo record another of those disasters resulting in serious destruction of valuable property, to which, with our wooden houses, wo are unfortunately but too frequently subject. Shortly after 8 o'ciock last night flames were observed proceeding from one of the upper rooms in. Steel's Accommodation House. Which is next door to Caselberg's Store on the south side. The alarm was immediately given, and a considerable crowd soon assembled, when every effort was made to get the fire under but without success the flames spreading with great rapidity. CASELHERO'S LARGE STORE. Was speedily enveloped in a street of flames, and although the hose was continually played the fire communicated itself to. The stables and back store. The conflagration being at this time very great. THE COURT HOUSE, POI.ICE STATION and Constable's residence then successively caught firo, and were' burned completely to the ground. The flames spreading somewhat in a southerly direction, fired the office lately occupied by Mr P. Beetham which was also destroyed. It was with considerable difficulty that the POST OFFICE was saved, and Mr Haigh's butchers shop also narrowly escaped destruction, and has suffered considerable damage, The " Standard Oflico" was fortunate in getting off with the loss of a few panes of glass. There was no lack of water, nor of men ready and willing to effect salvage, but tho intense heat which prevailed rendered it impossible for any one to approach too near to the burning premises, although Mr Parley, (the well known carrier), kept his station at the pump at great inconvenience and even hazard to himself. Had there been.proper organization it is even doubtful if the property could have been saved,' ' , THE LOSS ' to Mr Caselberg may be estimated at not less than■ . EIGHT 'THOUSAND POUNDS. . ■ For although a large amount of .stock was

.saved, it is too greatly inju cd to be. of material vrljie; whilo the other premises destroyed will jnvolvo a loss of about ; ' ' Two THOUSAND PODKDS. . . Which will fall principally on Mrs Molea and tho Government. Mr Caselberg has socured Ridley's Store in which he will temporarily. •/ Oabrt on business. . Opening thoro with a now stock from Masterton to-morrow. . - Great sympathy is felt with Mr Caselberg and the other losers by this fire, tho cause of which at present is utterly unknown, It is pretty generally understood that Mr Caselberg and Mrs Moles were fully insured and we hopo to learn that such was tho case. We may state that the fuujjxtinguishor used was one which Messrs ®)lberg and Co. kept on their contingencies. Almost all the drapery in the establishment of Messrs Caselberg & Co, was savadj but, as we before intimatoa, was vory much damaged" in removal. Among their other losses was six tons of butter in their back store, which it was impossible to remove. This' is the third fire which has has happened on this particular spot, the first being the Wairarapa Mercury plant, aiid the second a store belonging to Mr Phillips. '