RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2401, 29 November 1887, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Finn.--A dwelling-house the property of Mr J. J. Austin, residing at Kawkauroii, near Raglan, was totally destroyed by tire at noon, on the 25th. Mr Turner, of Auckland, was proceeding on horseback from Raglan to Kanroa, at about 11 a.in., and observed Haines issuing from the chimney of Mr Austin’s house, when he at once hastened on at all speed to render any assistance that might be required. Ho found cm arriving at the building that Mrs Austin and her children, were the only persons m the place. Mrs Austin had, previous to his arrival, placed bags in front of the chimney. After putting out the fire at the bottom of the chimney they discovered that the shingles on the roof were ignited. Mr Turner then got upon the roof, and threw several buckets of water over it, which were handed up to him by Mrs Austin, but the strong south-east gale blowing at the time soon caused the fire to get such a hold upon the building that it was seen to be impossible to save it. Attention was then turned to effecting the saving of the furniture, etc. In rendering this service Mr Turner, who is a commercial traveller for Mr Rendell, of Hobsonstreot, Auckland, was, with Mr Austin, nearly suffocated in saving the piano, all his clothes being injured, and his coat, which caught fire, had to be thrown off, and was soon consumed, Mr Austin, who was away in one of his paddocks, hoard the calls made for him, and proceeded to render all the assistance he could. About .£(10 nr £7O worth of furniture was saved. Mr Wallis, of Oketo, who is the agent for the New Zealand Insurance Company, was soon on the ground, and was shortly followed by Constable Bulford, who had received information by telephone. The building was said to be insured in the South British for £2OO, and the furniture is insured in the New Zealand Office for a like sura. The sympathy of all the settlers in the district is with Mr Austin in Ins loss. It is most fortunate for those dwelling in the house that the fire did not occur during the night. Mr Austin has only recently purchased the property.