FIRE AT GREYTOWN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 91, 31 October 1881, Page 2

FIRE AT GREYTOWN.

GREYTOWN CLUB AND WORKING MEN'S CLUB BURNED DOWN.

At about 1 o'olock yesterday morning Lieutenant Oameron, of the Grey town Volunteers, who was riding home after an official visit to Carterton, observed, when proceeding along Main-street, Greytown, flames issuing from tbe windows of the Greytown Club, and saw that they had a good hold on the building. He immediately gave tbe alarm to the custodian of the Working Men's Club (Mr H. S. Wiokerson), which was not many feet distant and the next building, and then proceeded to the firebell to arouse the town, The hell, however, which has been a great deal played with lately, was out of order, and gave forth but an uucertain sound, which was not very effective. Most people along the street were soon at the scene of the conflagration, and, no one being on the Greytown Club premises, the doors were broken, in, so that property might bo saved. The building was full of smoke and flame, however, and this object was frustrated. There is no fire brigade in Greytown, so.no engine was available for saving the premises of the Working Men's Club adjoining, to which the flumes quickly spread, and the Greytown Club was left to its fate and a systematic effort made to save the contents of tbe other building. Mr Wickerson's household had not all retired when the alarm was given, as bis youngest child—who, we regret to hear, is not expected 10 live—had an attack of croup, and. was being watohed aud nursed at the time the fire occurrod, Mrs Wickersou heing also far from well. Mrs Kaillie kindly took care of the two invalids, and Mrs St. George of the rest of Mr Wickerson's family. The inmates being placed in safety, everything moveable was quickly handed out from the lower rooms, The Masonic Lodge room up stairs was unlocked, and all the property of the Greytown Lodge placed in safe care, and everything taken out of the fiont rooms. The back rooms containim; the custodian's propmty, had to be left to thair faie, and the contents were destroyed. Tne flames by this time had a firm hold of bjth buildings, and blazed furiously, the reflection being seen from heyoiid Masterton. The heat was intense, am? an immense bndy of sparks was curried liy a slight breeze which sprang up, directly upon Mr St George's Chemist shop, and Mr J. Baillie's residence and stable on the opposite side of the road.

The roof of Mr St George's premises became ignited and burst into Humes, but all hands left the Club buildings to their fate, (having saved all they could), and plucky volunteers clambered upon the roof of the threatened building, and by means of wet blankets and buckets of water, succeeded in the fliimes, and preventing them again breaking out. In the meantime Mr St George's stock had been taken out of the shop ami placed on the road, and uiiyono can imagine what»state it was in when inspectod by its unfortunate owner after the excitement was ovor. Bottles broken, boxes upset, pills everywhere, anil stationery taking to itself wings and Hying all over the street, INSURANCES. Mr St George values his loss at L2OO at least. His stock is insured. Mr Wiekerson, the custodian «f I lie Working Men's Club, lost everything, his property being in the back rooms upstairs. His property is insured for £75 in the Loudon Liverpool uud Globe Insurance Co,, but this will not nearly cover his loss. The Working Men's Club saved every thing except the billiard table, but of course none of the articles taken out weie improved by the mode of removal. The premises were insured in the South British for JSOO. The stock and fumitorc was insured in the London, LuerpMil and Globe Insurance Company, for LIOO The Masonic furniture in the same f"i <BIOO. The Greytown Club building was insured for £3OO, and the billiard table uud furniture for ,£3OO, and sUk i'so, in the New Zealand Company. We understand the Wo-king Men's Club will be rebuilt immediately. SALVAGE GOODS. The Insurance Agents (Mr F. II Wood, South British, and Mr Bock, London, and Liverpool, &c,,) placed men in charge of the salvage and debris of the fire, nod they continued throwing water on ilk embers till they were nearly extinct, THE AVTERFIECE, When all danger was over the membeis of the Working Men's Club and those who had assisted in saving property and extinguishing the flames assembled at a shed in the rear of the smoking ruins, and the Committee served out much needed refreshment, thanking all who had holped in rescuing their property. Advantage was taken of the occasion lo drink the health of the Volunteers (a larye number of whom were present), who would be leaving for the front the following morning, After some kindly words of praise of Lieut, Gamerm) and his In tie band had been spoken, the citizens wended their way homewards to seek repose after their exertions.

FIKE BRIGADE WANTED. The two now destroyed make eleven buildings which have succumbed to the fiery plement within the past two or three years on the same side of the stroet, viz., Fabian Bros', store, MrWittou's blacksmith's shop, Rising Sun Hotel, W. Thompson's dwelling, Grejtown Club, Wurkititr Men's Club, Beethatn ami Gawith's offices, Moles' bakery, Case! herd's stores, Courthouse, and Police Station. Several of these were destroyed from the effect of a fire in one of iheui, iftonp time, and the question naturally suggests itself could not some of Iheui have been saved if an organised FinBrigade, with a good engine, were in existence 1 Wo feel certain they could, and hope this last lesson will not be iii vain.