FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10180, 10 July 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

FIRES.

On the 6th of June, between five and six o'clock, a firei broke out' in a five-roomed shop and dwelling, in a largo, block of wooden buildings, opposite the old Clan* ricade Hotel, Wyndham-gtreet. The shop in which the fire originated was occupied by Mr, Richard Bias, his wife, and a lodgor, Mr. Jas. Henry Hughes, an old man of 74 years of age, who, We regret to say, lost his life in tho act of escaping from the burning building., Tho origin of the fire is unknown, but ib had apparently brokon out under the stairs. The building is damaged to the extent of £150.- Mr. Mas bad his effects inslirod for £80 in the North German office, but he estimate thorn at £100. The block of five shops belongs to the trust of tho Bailors' Home, and is insurod in the Commercial Union for £1200. The shop of Mr. Preston is also damaged. His effects unfortunately were , not covered by insurance. An inquest was held on the 7th July on the body, The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had been in the first instance suffocated, and then scorched by the fire, bub that there was no evidence to show how the fire had» originated. A fire occurred on tho 28th of June at Waimauku, the shop, gum store, and stock-in-trade of Mrs. Susan McDonald being totally destroyed, of tho total value of £700. The building is owned by Mrs. McDonald, and. was insured in the South British for £150. . The stock and kauri gum was insured in the New Zealand for £350. Tho Gore Schoolhouso was burned down on July 4. It was valuod ab £700, and was uninsurod. The origin of the fire is unknown.

About eight o'clock on Tuesday evening, June 23rd, the sheds of the Christchurch Union Rowing Club were destroyod by fire, together with all tho boats and property and trophies gob together during tho past three years, as well as a piano, and tho photographs and pictures of all the celebrated oarsmen of the world. Tho loss is estimated at quite £500 over the insurance, and a number of mementoes which ib is impossible to replace have been destroyed. The insurances, which are all in ttio London and Lancashire Office, are £(500 on the building, and £298 on the boats, trophies, and other contents. A fire broko out on Monday night, tho 15th of June, in a block of wooden buildings in Hereford-street, Christchurch. Tho fire apparently originated in the premises of Acland, Dudley, and Co., and before it was extinguished, had completely gutted their building, together with those occupied by T, J, Mating, Cook and Gray, Canterbury Insurance Protection Associatien, Duffy, solicitor, and officos used by Bowman and Harding. Considerable damage was done to furniture in Bowman's auction room. Tho buildings wero owned by tho Miles and Co, Estate and were erected in 186 S. The insurances are : On the building destroyed, Occupied as officos, £1000 in the Alliance; Bowman and Son's auction rooms, £1000 in the same office; Cook and Gray's office furniture and effects, £250 in the National; Duffy's law library and offico furniture, £100 in the Manchester; Maling's office furniture and Bauiples, £50 in the Suuth British; , Bowman and Son's stock, £200 In the Imperial; D. Bowman's pianos and general merchandise, £200 in the Standard Offico.