FIRE IN MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2113, 6 October 1885, Page 2

FIRE IN MASTERTON.

An alarm of lire was given at 2.20. p.m. yesterday, and those who were out of doors had not long to look to find the cause of it, for the thin band of smoke that arose at the beginning rapidly grew into a thick black mass, which spread over the northern portion of' the. town, The fire broke out in that portion of Messrs Hood & Shaw'B stables situated on the southern side of Perry-street. They were the property of Mr J. Macara, let by him to Mr A. Elkins, of the Club Hotel, and re-let to Messrs Hood and Shaw, who used it as part of their livery stables, The flameß started in some hay in a part of the building where there was a chaflcutter, and the material being dry find inflammable, spread with such rapidity that they had a firm hold before those who were on the spot could do anything to suppress them. In a few moments they had broken through the roof, and, driven by a moderate southerly wind, they quickly spread across Perrystreet and obtained a hold of the Club Hotel stables, Meanwhile a number of willing hands removed all the horses and movable plant, so that nothing .but the fodder remained, Mr J. Macara's extensive stables at the rear, and fronting Dixon-street, were seen to be in danger, and although a space of 16ft divided them, and men were quickly on the spot to carry away the' plant. This was done in the most systematic manner under Mr Macara's own direction. A strong board fence between the two stables which looked like a stepping stone for the flames, fell under the vigorous blows of an axe wielded by Mr T. A. Lyons, In the absence of a hose, all the efforts to save the building were in vain. Water was thrown on the lower prt by means of buckets, but the flames obtfijned a hold higher up, out of their reach, and quickly spread to the interior. A quarter of an hour after the first alann it was ablaze from end to end, and a gang of volunteers who were carrying out fodder, among whom Mr E. Poynton was prominent, had to abandon their task. The Fire Brigade was very slow in getting on the spot, and then made the mistake of getting both engines on one §ido. What made matters worse for them was that a hatch fell into the creek and completely blocked it a short distance above where % syctioii pjpe had been put in, Of course, they pre not to blame for the mishap, but the time it took to bring water to bear was the subject of a good deal of oomment. Messrs Kibblewhite and Cameron's blacksmith's shop adjoining the stables was in great danger for some time, and it was only saved by n)eai)s of a small hand-engine, the property of Mr Elkins, the nozzle of which was alternately in the hands of Mr W, Riddoll, of Tinui, and Mr W. lorns, who bore the heat even when their clothes were scorching. Had the shop caught nothing could have saved the closely built blook extending from Messrs Duncan and Sons to the Prince of Wales Hotel. The chief interest naturally centred in the fate of the Club Hotel. The fables were burning with extraordinary fiorceness, and there were very few who ventured into the yard between thom and the hotel. A low iron building, that had recently beon erected, and usetl as sample rooms, connected tho two on the eastern an(f through this the flames were gradually making their way, Here, too, willing hands were foundto do what was needful. A portion of tho building foil under tho axe, and tho flames, being checked by hand grenades, were conquered by the Fire jjrigade. Mr Elkins left nothing undone j;o protect the hotel, and his large staff of servants, assisted by others, worked with a will under his directions. The wing nearest the stables was protected by wet blankets, and the hand-engine, stjll directed by Mr Riddell, who had to turn it on himself now and then to prevent his clothes from burning, wap pl&yet} qn it fr ( qir} the outside, The windows broke, the paint pealed off, and now and then a small flame flickered on the weather-boarding, but the critical moment passed, and the Mlding was once more safe. How intense the heat was may bq gatj|eref} fjqm the fact that several lodgers occupying rooms at tho end of ttye wing, and who went to carry qut ttyejr effects, jjad to beat a retreat. The interior of tj)e Jiotel presented a busy appearance. All the plate and other artlelos of more than ordinary value were carried out to a place of safety, men and women being equally anxious to assist. Tho feminine portion of the hotel staff desevyeq ppajse for the sysmatic manner in jyhjcfy t|ioy carried out their duties, and for the qrder they maintained, When all danger had been averted the things were brought back alnjost as quickly as they had been carried away. Meantime the flames had obtained a hold on the painters' shop at the rear of Mr J. Ross' coaclibuilding'establishment, which adjoined the Club stables. Mr Ross went to work with commendable coolness. Seeing, the danger, he ordered his plant to be removed, invested in a couple of dozen iron buckets, and fincjing plenty of assistance, had a fire brigade of his own that was willing to do its utmost to check the fire. Here, too, the hand grenades proved successful, and as the Fire Brigade was soon able to spare a hose, only a small wing of the building was gutted, Having destroyed the stables, the fire extended towards Dixon-street, and quickly reduced Mr Elkins' large fowlhouse. Thanks to the efforts of " Ike," all the fowls were got out in time. . Two valuablo dogs were, however! burnt. All the contents of Mr Elkins' private residence in Dixon-street were removed, but

fortunately the building escaped. The Schoolroom attached to St. Matthow's Church was in the direct line of the tire, and the shingle roof caught three times through sparks settling on it, but it was eventually saved, Mrs Paige and a number of ladies removed all the Sunday School books and seats. While the fire was at its height a spark lodged on a building at the rear of the Daily office, and caused a blaze, but, being noticed in time, a fow buckets of water proved sufficient to put it out. Just as the safety of the. Olub Hotoi had been assured, another alarm was ■ given, A lad named Spockman saw a blaze on the roof of the Empire Hotel, and the bell was again rung. Fortunately there were easy means of ascending the roof, and Constable Connor, Mr Langerisiepen, and one or two others soon brought sufficient water to bear to quench the flames, A patch of shingles measuring about two yards each way was scorched, A large crowd of people gathered to witness the fire, and it was estimated that there were at one time no less than 2000 spectators. Many of these took a turn at the engine or one of the numerous pumpa that were kept going. Several carried water or beer to the thirsty ■workers. Special thanks are due to Mrs Bennington, Dixon-street, She made no less than twelve buckets of tea, using three pounds of leaf, which was very gratefully received by the firemen.

The danger that threatened the town was very serious, because, had Messrs Duncan and Sons' shop and the Olub Hotel caught, the fire would have spread to both sides of Queen-street, and all the business centre would have been reduced to ashes.

Amongst those who distinguished themselves by working hard and well were Messrs W. Riddell, W. lorna, W. Lowes, D, S. Papworfch, Bedell, T, Parsons, J, Bentley, Dr Hosking, and a faircomplexioned, broad-shouldered granger, whose name we were unable to ascertain, It is difficult to form an estimate of the total damage, Mr Macara calculates that he has lost LI2OO, Among other plant he had 2500 bushels of magnificent two-year-old oats, which had been shot in a loft, and which has been reduced to pig feed. His insurances are L3OO on the stables, L2OO on horse feed, and L 25 on the office, all in the North 'British, a nd £l5O in the New Zealand on Messrs Hood and Shaw's stables. Messrs Hood & Shaw saved moat of their harness and saddlery, but their stock of hay and oats wag burnt, They estimate their loss at Ll5O, not a particle of which is covered by insurance. In the absence of two ot the insuranco agents, it is impossible to say to what extent Mr Elkins' stables were insured, He has the following policies on the hotel and stables;— LIOOO in the National, LIOOO in the Northern, LIOOO in the Equitable, LIOOO in the Neiy Sealant!, the Liverpool and London, The loss must be at least £SOO. Mr Ross' building was insured for £75, and the plant for £IOO, both in the South British. The damage to the latter is chiefly confinedtQtto painty nia t et i a i S) and may bo estimated at £2O or £3O.

When the flames had been got under, the firemen and others continued their work at the rear of tho hotel, au4 two hours lator thore was not a spark left. On thotfilgjipjf Mr Macara's stables, tho oatsanuother material burnt all night, and some of the firemen were on guard till morning;. Tho night being calm, there wasj, hqweyer, i)q of fhg flames breaking oiit again,