HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1531, 27 April 1882, Page 2

HAMILTON.

Mr J. B.Whyte's Residence Burned pth^ <*«« Down.t"r*F" ' f\ to about half-p~ast v eighr o'cldekriSst night- -residents in Hamilton observed a glare, down the river, which, was ,at first presumed fto' be ajscrub fire/ but on'examination it was found that Mr J. B. WEyte's "Tibuse "" "was ' ablaze. ' A "large number of. people at once. , proceeded to * the l spdt' boats, \ and vehicles, but they arrived too late"~to "render"' any assistance, -the building being reduced to ashes in a very short space of time. The cause of the fire is somewhat doubtful, though it is known to have started in Mr Whyte'a dressing-room. About the time named above Mr and Mrs Whyte and Mra Walker, who was visiting the family, were seated in the dining-room, when they perceived the smell of smoke. They at once instituted enquiries, and on entering the dressibg-room found it in flames. After making some ineffectual efforts to extinguish the fire, their attention and that of the §ervan^js was directed to saving the' children, who had 'be£n put to bed some time previously, and when this task was accomplished it was found that very little could be done towards removing any of the furniture or effects. A few articles of clothing, jewellery, and plate, together with 'a number of kitchen utensils were removed, but the blinding smoke prevented further efforts, and nearly all the contents of the house were consequently destroyed. T;he fire burned with amazing rapidity, and within twenty minutes after the first alarm was given the building was reduced to a heap of glowing cinders. The wind, which was light, was blowing from the rear to the front of the house, so that the outbuildings, including the stable. &c, were saved, j The dressing-room, Vhere the fire originated; was situated at the south side of the house : a couple of candles were usually kept on the mantel-shelf, but it is not known whether they were alight at the time. ' Mr Whyte is of opinion that they were not, while some of the servants are under the impression that they Avere. The house was a large and well-built edifice, containing twelve or thirteen rooms. The furniture was of a costly character, and contained a large number of articles of virtu, and works oi art, which cannot be replaced. Both building and furniture were well t in the . Smith « British office, but' for what amount 'we '"have* nbt baen able to ascertain. It is certain, however, that .Mr Whyte will be a 1 great loser, as many of the articles -of furniture, &c.,-- were of a nature upon which no adequate value can be j>laced. It is to be regretted that the distance of the residence |rom the town precluded the possibility of efficient help being at hand, though it is doubtful whether, considering the short time the fire took to do its work, asshtauca however promptly rendered, could have been of much avail.