Fortunately the fire was confined to an outhouse at the roar of the institution and not very great damage was done.

The shed alluded to is used in one compartment as the male patients' swag-zoom, and in another as a convenient place in which the ashes from the fireplaces are mixed with other component parts to furnish deodorizing material for the earth closets.

It is supposed that the assistant wardsman, A. Sandford (who on that evening had proceeded on a week's leave) in carrying out this duty had placed some live ashes on the earthen floor and that it smouldered until it communicated with a roll of old coir matting lying in a corner, when it burst into flame and set the wood-work on fire.

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The remainder of the shed was being temporarily used as a store for various hospital material while the additions to the hospital are being built, and also contained the clothing of the female patients in the hospital.

Mr Cuming, one of the fire brigade, who resides near the institution, observed the smoke, and went over at once and informed Mr. Howard, the Secretary, who with his assistance and that of the rest of the staff, proceeded to throw water on the burning tenement.

Captain Wright and some other firemen quickly arrived on the scene and soon placed the flames out of danger, rendering the use of the reel unnecessary.

The compartment referred to, about 12ft square, was destroyed and with it the "swags "of eight patients now in the hospital, the whole damage amounting probably to some £40, and it is a matter for congratulation that the prompt action taken prevented any greater loss from the fire catching the "store"adjoining.

The outhouse is detached from the main building from which it is separated by a distance of 50 yards with other brick houses between, so that at no time were the patients in any danger. The place burnt down was not insured.

A special meeting of the committee of management has been called to take into consideration the circumstances surrounding the fire and the loss entailed on the patients whose swags were consumed. The meeting is caIIed for 4 Fix this texto'clock this afternoon.

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