FIRE AT MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5043, 5 June 1895, Page 2

FIRE AT MASTERTON.

MR DAYSH'S STABLES DESTROYED.

Shortly after ton o'clock las'tfr night, flames were seen issuing from ' thd rear of Mr Uaysh's stables in . Chapel-street, apparently from the floor of the loft, which was strewn with loose hay and dry red clover stored away for fodder. Mr Daysh and his brother-in-law, a very short time previously, had seen to everything, and left the stables in • perfect safety. The former, as usual, fastened tbo door at the back with a bolt which could only be got at from the iuside of the stables, and thou passing through, closed and looked . the two doors at the front of the stables, both retiring to bed, soon to be awakened by a near neighbour (Mrs Potter, who, in the meantime, sent one of her sons, who had first V ,' noticed the lire, to ring the bell) "*' knocking loudly at the door and calling out fire. Mr Daysh rose from.his bed, and unatt-ircd, to the stables andromovodtho wlicM of the horses from their stalls, with the exception of two removed by his brother-in-law (R. Allen) who soon followed him from the house. Some difficulty was experienced jn keeping the horses from re-enteiing the stables, even after they had been led out, tho few persons first on tho scene helping to drive them away. The harness, thanks to the timely assistance Gf one or two of tho neighbours and persons present, was fortho most part saved complete. Several hags of oats wore also removed, but within ten minutes, or less from the tinio tho fire was first discovered, the building was completely at the mercy of the flames. Tbe Brigades were rather late in getting water on the fire, chiefly owing to the distanco from the scene of the fire to river, no water being obtainable nearer. The Kuripuni Branch Brigade were very active, and had their hose at work almost as soon as the other Brigades. Unfortunately, the fire of tho Jubilee was quenched when lowering the engine into the river, and this caused some delay in pumping. In tho meantime, a shed for storing goods, standing between the stables and tho house, was saved by the waterlhrowu on it from buckets, until the Brigades were in full play. Two large waggons, one containing some thousands of feet of timber, and the other machinery, etc, were in the immediate rear of the stables, and in danger of being burnt. With the united assistance of about twenty strong and willing hands, they were removed to a place of safety.

The building was, we understand, insured in Mr W. B. Chenuells' ollice (The London and Lancashire) for £80; the harness for £25; and the oats and'fodder for £7O. The harness was saved. Mr Daysh i.<j« very considoiiiblo loser, in additiA to this, us the oats, fodder, etc!; destroyed, wero worth a good deal more than tlio sum insured for,