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21 December 1905
DISASTROUS FIRE.
Cullenbone Hall Burnt. Church Bazaar Destroyed
For weeks past, the little community of Cullenbone had been waiting for the bazaar and Christmas tree, promoted with the object of raising means towards the "Union" Church in that locality. Wednesday evening last was the date fixed. There had been no lack of publicity, and from Mudgee to Guntawang on two sides and McDonald's Creek to the Three Mile on north and south it was an understood thing, the occasion signifying a "roll up." And so it proved to be. Ladies of Cullenbone, associated with good objects at all times, united to perfect noble work towards a deserving object. It was to benefit the 'Union' Church. Mrs. Paine's hall was secured, and the ladies in the locality, representing all creeds, went together to accomplish the best results. The hall is of recent addition to the old landmark best known as 'Green Swamp.' That the new building was a public convenience is generally admitted, and was testimony to the enterprise of the proprietress and those responsible for its erection. Probably no gathering that had been held in the building was of the character which promised for Wednesday evening last. It was 'an event to come ' much talked about, and everybody looked forward in expectancy until the day set down for the opening. The ladies resident in the locality left no stone unturned. The official opening of the bazaar was deputed to the member for the district, who came from Sydney on Wednesday morning specifically to fulfil his engagement, and Mr. Richards arrived on the spot to witness a scene that is best described in his notes of the occurrence as viewed at an early hour, when a great crowd of people were in attendance to take part in the opening ceremony.
Mr. Richards writes :—
'It was in the gloaming when I arrived within sight of Cullenbone. Nearing the old residence where the ivy tree was so conspicuous for years (late Mr. Tom Keech's) I observed what to me appeared to be a huge bonfire ahead It was just light enough to drive without 'lights.' In a twinkling the apparent bonfire developed into a great illuminating blaze. Not having seen the now building erected adjacent to Mrs. Paine's hotel, I concluded a fire, had attacked the Green Swamp stores and hostelry. When I refer to the place as a landmark, old residents will remember how it has been associated with Mudgee's past. The travellers' resort, the rendezvous of all classes coming from the outback, squatters, drovers, teamsters - a camping place for man and beast, a travellers' rest, homely and accommodating. It was then that Coonamble and Coonabarabran people were in touch with us socially and commercially. It was then known as Aaron Thompson's. On Wednesday evening, as I approached the old wayside place, and observing the too certain evidences of a "fire", memory drifted back, and I thought of the past and its associations. But the worst fears were only too seriously verified as myself and companion drew rein in the thick of an excited crowd of well dressed women and children, young and old, all too nervously excited to tell on first enquiry how the fire occurred. 'Such a pity,' 'how dreadful,' and so on, greeted me. Nobody knew exactly how the fire started. But there it was - no panoramic production as we have seen a conflagration depicted could give the real idea of what a fire means as this fire appeared to those who looked on at the blazing disaster at Cullenbone. The presence of the Fire Brigade was not possible. Thus was the telephone missed. Probably nobody thought of Mr. Geo. Stewart's phone a mile across the paddock. But the firefighters were in evidence. Big men, little men, all doing something to avert the worse consequences. They fought and battled, and at times were likely to be baffled - a strong wind swept from the East. Myriads of firelights, large and small embers were carried in all directions, at times deluging, as it were, the adjacent buildings. The blinding smoke, the crackling from the blazing timber, the falling portions of the fired building, all threatening at any moment the premises adjacent. Fortunately the underground tank gave a copious water supply, bucketed by willing men who never ceased until half-an-hour of the destructive blaze commencing, when roof and sides collapsed, leaving the eastern portion of the building intact. Water, water, was dashed upon the crackling ember-flying showers. 'The worst is over,' was passed about amongst the crowd. Then one began to realise what actually had occurred. Constables Cobcroft was conspicuous amongst the firefighters. Gradually, from one and the other, I gleaned how the fire originated. One of those beastly paper lanterns. Someone was attending to this feature of the intended evening's display. Mrs. Martin, who had done so much towards the preparation said to me 'The place was so prettily done up - there was everything to make the like of what we had never seen. Wadding, to imitate snow, suggestive of the Christmas at Home, had been freely used in the decoration, bunting, to enliven the interior of the building - on the stage the piano. Stalls, the Xmas Tree, to which the children had looked forward. No wonder so many of the boys and girls were in tears. Apart from the shock, there were the disappointments. So childlike. It was difficult to glean other than disjointed statements. Everybody agreed as to the Chinese lantern, and the draught, and the tricky decorations - all so ready to burn. Then Archdeacon Dunstan hovered on the scene. The reverend gentleman had taken advantage of the change of programme. Instead of the afternoon official opening, it was decided to 'make the thing hum' by an after tea opening. Mr. George Stewart had an afternoon engagement in Mudgee, the Archdeacon had a wedding to celebrate, the Mudgee Band would be present in the evening, hence the postponement. The Arch-deacon had sent the Rev. Mr. Levick, his curate, to be present in case he could not arrive in time, so that everything was in order. There was no confusion. They were all ready. Mr. Levick was seated at the piano on the stage, touching the accompaniment to a vocal number on the programme. Then it was the disastrous firing of that lantern sent its fiendish contamination 'in a twinkling.' Had the entertainment commenced there must have been a hall full of men, women, and children. Thank God, there were but very few in the building. How quickly the blaze spread. Mr. Charley Knight, who was present, says 'it was wild fire, and no mistake. We had no hope of getting to the piano on the stage.' Then the firefighters got to work. Perhaps it will be well if I go no further - lest I intrude on the public inquiry that is to be held. Nothing short of miraculous - everything was in danger averted total destruction of every atom of the adjacent property. On the south end of the building, not more than two paces off, stands the harness room, a lumber receptacle. In this was the harness belonging to the many who, up to that time, had driven in. Twice, thrice, aye, a fourth time, the little wooden building fired. It was drenched by the bucket men. The butcher's shop, west a few paces - a dozen yards distant - was wet-blanketed. The water thrown upon the corrugated iron of the building quite 'fizzed ' again. It was red hot. Next to the butchery is the store. In it are all the necessaries of a general store - light and airy things, and kerosene. Had either of these buildings lighted up, then the progress of the disaster must have been quick work. Little wonder women were in hysterics, and, in the glare, you could see the sustaining glass of water being handed round. Indeed, it was an anxious time for many of the parents, who sought and called the name of some member of the family. On every hand you could hear regrets expressed for the ladies who had done so much to organise the event of the day. Regrets were audibly uttered for Mrs. Paine, Mrs, Martin, and Miss Cooke. One who was present, Mrs. Wittle (nee Miss Reid) now on a visit, felt the deplorable occurrence keenly. Whether the building was insured I could not learn - the inquiry will reveal this and more than I have supplied."1