THE FIFTH FIRE ON THE WEST COAST.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 592, 11 December 1869, Page 2

THE FIFTH FIRE ON THE WEST COAST.

(From the Greymouth Star.) Life on the West Coast is not quite eouleur tie rose. A conflagraticn ha 3 laid the most valuable business portiou of the Buller iu ashes, and the whole of the populations of the towns of the West Coast of the Middle Island, from Okarito, south, to the Buller, north, have now had a surfeit of bitter experiences from both fire and flood. The first destructive fire occurred at Okarito; skipping Hokitika, it seized Greymouth, and, as if regretting the omission, it turned back and burned down twenty business establishments in Hokitika. Passing Greymouth en route, it attacked Charleston and has now visited Westport, where it did its work very effectually and with the utmost despatch. The following are estimated losses by fire on the West Coast:— Okarito £5,000 Greymouth 60,000 Hokitika 30,000 Charleston ... ... 3,000 Buller 15,000 Total loss by fire ...£113,000 And all this very large amount of losses (leaving out Okarito) happens us within the period of a few months. (From the Argus.) The startling news we received from Westport on Sunday of the destruction by fire of a large block of buildings, through the bursting of a kerosene lamp, ought to cause the citizens to be more careful in trimming the thousands of lamps which are nightly in use in town. It ought also to arouse public attention to the necessity which exists for providing a w T ater supply in the event of fire in the back streets, either in tho shape of wells or stand pipes. The latter are more simple, less expensive, useful, and handier in cases of fire, as they are made to a size so that the section-hose of the engine can be secured to them and an abundant supply of water obtained. One of these ought to be fixed at tho juuction of every cross street, and if the Corporation cannot or will not do it, the owners of property must club together and do it. The cost is very little, for we are informed that these pipes can be bought, driven, and fitted with a movable handpump for about £l4 each.