Eager hands

Loved this little snippet about a fire in Dunedin in 1863.
The building concerned was being pulled down to stop the fire spreading, water not being immediately available.
"Meanwhile the houses fronting the street, were pouring forth their contents, and as usual the crowd was only too eager to assist in this part of the business, and the interference of the police became necessary to prevent the stores of Mr Fargie, wine and spirit merchant, which were in no immediate danger, from being broken into for the purpose of getting out their contents."
Otago Daily Times , Issue 351, 4 February 1863, Page 4

Feb 10, 2008: The EYRE affair?

Obviously a good year for FAIRBAIRNs. Having recently added George FAIRBAIRN and Janet PURDIE into the extended FAIRBAIRN family, I had found most of their children in assorted records, but not the dtr Margaret. All was explained. Here in NZ, about 3/4 hr drive away, is a descendant who has just contacted me, Margaret and her new husband emigrated to NZ shortly after their marriage in Melrose, Rox. The other Archibald FAIRBAIRN chart updated. Newly acquired surnames include: WILLIAMSON, EYRE, STENHOUSE, BRADBURY, THORNTON, in Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington.

I've also been contacted by a MATTERS descendant in Washington State. Not yet exactly sure how she connects back to Joseph MATTERS and Mary CUDLIP, but that's her line apparently.