FIRE AT GLADSTONE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2897, 12 May 1888, Page 2

FIRE AT GLADSTONE.

The Hotel Stables Burnt,

Old Tollhouse Destroyed.

On Thursday afternoon a telegram from Carterton conveyed the news that electric communication between that township and Gladstone was, through some cause not then ascertained, cut off. Mr McKonzie, the Masterton lineman, at once set out for Gladstone with the object of repairing the break. On arrival there he found that the stables of Mr Sexton's Gladstone hotel, and also the old tollhouse, had Wfe' burnt to the ground, and that two telegraph poles had been destroyed, the wires broken, and the means of sending messages thus .rendAun. available. ™

It seems that the fire wis discovered at 1G minutes to nine o'clock on Wednight. How it originated is not known, but when first seen it had obtained a good hold. Thode on '&s spot quickly recognised that endeavors to extinguish the flames, were, as far as the stable was concerned, of no avail, and % deyoted themselves to liberating the horses inside, which were in extreme jeopardy. The last horse was only got out at great risk, its rescuer going into the stall when it was in a perfect blaze. At the same time steps were being taken for the protection of the corn store room, which being only about eight feet away, stood every chance of also being consumed. Howwet blankets and buckets discriminatingly and promptly used proved its salvation, and the large stock of fodder it contained ws*»nsequently safe. It should also tioned that the vehicles were removed from the burning stable as well as the horses, so that what would have beeiji a heavy loss in that direction was tunately avoided,

The hotel being on the opposite sido of the road m quite safe, but

disused Ruamahunga bridge tollkouso of two rooms, which bolonged to tlio County Council, and waa worth about £3O, ra, owing to its being so close to the stable, quickly burnt. It was lioLinsured. damage done, therefore, is the destruction of the stablo (roughly valued at £SO) and its contents, consisting mainly of harness and hay, and worth say another £SO. Mr Sexton, the owner, was away in Wellington at the time, but the family too under under tlio impression the property was covered by insurance. Telegraph communication has been restored.