FIRE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 2537, 1 March 1887, Page 2

FIRE.

SUSPECTED INOENDIARISM,

About quarter to .eleven, ; laat \nighfc Maaterton 'was thrown into - : e' state of wmmotion by 1 the vigorotig ringing" of the fire bell, and the news that fire had broken out in the Prince,of .Wgles Hotel. The Fire engines.were quickly run out, but when thoy arrived at ; the acppe, it was found that. fch.o danger had been averted by the . promptitude of the inmates, minted by 'gentlemen, who wore in the hotel at the time.! The fire, which broke out in a back ; room in the east corney of the building, was first discovered by Mr Wagg, who had his attention called to an odour na. of. something burning about the place. On opening the door of the room the smoke was so dense that it was first thought, that the building conld not be saved. Theanmaka who had retired were aroused, and a scene of great confusion ensuedMh'e half dressed servants and lodge® ushing about in a frantic manner. WJefc Mr :R. Thompson went to rouse ih'e town, Mr Parsons entered the room'oMhia hands and knees, followed hjih E. Buckendge, and they /managed .to get to where the fire,was burning. It turned out to Ve a pair of new blankets, that had becomo ignited; and had set fire to the paper on the wall and alad the lining boards, some, of . the furniture .being also alight.; Water, was soon and after a ahortand sharp, fiithtthe impromptu brigade obtained the' mastery over the flames. - The damage done amounts to. only, a fevr poundß,;but the danger that has been averted by all concerned .caused a l ' feeling , of , relief whon it .-was; reflected upon, for had the fire Rot a ltold nothing ■ could have Baved the entire'block;* to Mr Eton's corner, from being destroyed. .:Oircumßtanccspointto some fouliwortm connection with the outbreak, on which w will not dwell now, as the matter is under consideration in other quarters with a vie# of bringing 'tha- euapected parties to justice. This is more than borne out by the fact tfiatg little later tho

Mr McKenzie who | has been appointed to Malioka, and to present him with a small token of our eateem and regard. I am pleased to see present one of the largest gatherings of settlers, that I havo over witnessed, in this hall, and I am sure lie will ap- • preoiato such a number of ladies among those present, and take it., as.,evidence that he is a favourite with the fait sex'. (Cheers). Generally it is difficult for ono person to represent the feelings of a number of others, but in this instance the task is easy, Tliero is no doubt that not only those in-the hall, but everyone in the district, and many outside it, who have come in contact with' Mr McKenzie aro unanimous in their opinion that he has performed his uiani- • fold duties ia n most .creditable and satisfactory manner, being courteous and obliging to all.' The, settlers are undermany oblig&fcionsjto him. (Coming at all hours after the office was closed for their correspondence, he would turn out and transact any business they required without a murmur, and I am glad to see that the residents are not unmindful of these kindnesses, • Apart' frjra his' departmental duties ho has been a useful citizen in holding thd posts'of secretary' to tlip Foresters and public library. In both positions lie has acquitted" himself with credit, Qlid, but for his efforts in connection . with the latter, that institution would have come to grief." (Hear, hear.) In ' all social entertainments he has been to the fore, working hard to make . tbeta a success. His genial face has been one of the most pleasing features of these gatherings, and none will misa him more than some of the ladies now present. (Cheers and applause). Considering the number of people he , has met from time to time it is a creditable fact that he has not a single enemy in the district, and no one has ever heard an,ill word of him, cither in his public or private capacity—a thing 'that falls to tlis lot of fetv. (Renewed applause.) . Addressing Mr McKenzie MrMackay said it now gives mo veiy great pleasure oti behalf of the settlers of the Castlepoint district to present you with this gold watch and chain as a slight souvenir of thoiv esteem and regard, and although leaving us, T can assure yoii that vo'ir straightforward, honorable, and courteous conduct, and the kindness you have shewn will live long in tho memory of your many friends here, and they trust! that what is their loss in your removal from the district will be your gain and will load up in the not distant future to a f well-deserving promotion, The watch with a suitable inscription' was then h indod to Mr McKenzie, Mr McKenzie said in reply. Mr Mackay, Ladies and Gentlcmou, my acknowledgments will bo brief and imperfect, but that will be due to their sincority. I thank you very much for your handsome token and also for the kind remarks made by Mr Mackay. I trust that I will not give Mr Mackay or any of you cause to regret having made them. They had doubtless heard the well 'worn expressions on occasions like this (that the present was not prized for its .intrinsic value alone). In his case the remark was uttered with truth. The handsome token would he & lasting remembrance of seven years pleasant sojourn with them, lie was glad to learn that he had pleased them both officially and otherwise, the task to an easy one on liis part owing to their courtesy and good will, He again thanked them and wished them good health and prosperity. Tho proceedipes terminated with three cheers for Mr McKenzie and a jhYote of thanks to the Chairman, P A special meeting of Court Pioneer A.0.F., of which Mr John McKenzie was Secretary, was held on Saturday evening, ' The Court regretted that the notices of his doparture from Tinui to .Mohtika did not give them sufficient ' timetoproenre aCourtjewel,f|sa sign of their approval of the very efficient way in which he had discharged his duties to tho Court for anumber of years —but they will forward it to him .on Us ■ arrival.

Mr MeKehzic replied iu suitable terms, and vegrettod that lie was on the eve of departing from among them, and hoped that should any of hia brother Foresters paag'through Hohaka that they would tall on him and still And him a Forester. Subsequently, a number of Mr McKenzie's brother foresters ' invited him to. the Tinui Hotel when a. most, enjoyable evening was spent. Some capital songs by risitore and othors enlivened the proceedings, and after drinking the guests and fair hostesses health, and singing Auld Laing Syne, the company dispersed,