FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 6

FIRES.

One of the most serious fires which has occurred in this city broke out in the Loan and Mercantile Agency Oo.'s wool store on March 1, and resulted in the building, with the wholes of its valuable contents, being totally destroyed. The building was full 6f inflammable material, there- being large stocks of flax, wool, kauxi gum,. hides and general produce, and it was at once seen that no efforts could save the store or its contents. . Mi

For the first half hour the blaze was magnificent. Nearly the whole of the roof fell in, and the flames rose in a solid mass from centre to edge, ascending occasionally to twice tie height of the building. Besides the merchandise stored: W the building, there were two .VWJQJ presses and an engine, of the total value of £1000. "'I

The origin of the fire is unknown When discovered by Constable Harvey it appeared to be in a- bale of wool or of flax, on the eastern side of the building.. The building, the ownership o* which was divided equally between the Loan and Mercantile Agency and thp New Zealand Shipping Company,,, was insured for £7250 in the New Zealand Insurance Company's office,; each of the part owners having a policy of £3625. This was' the full insurable value of the building. Tie Loan and Mercantile Agency have 8 further policy of £5000 in the '■s**■[ Zealand Insurance Company on their own and their clients' goods in c store. A considerable portion °* this, and of other goods stored in the" building, were to be shipped to iondon by the Waimate. Part of th^e goods were covered by open policies covering the risk right through tp London.

A considerable quantity of ■ "wbqli some undamaged, was saved. Of t&6 ■total of £12,250, for which buildings and stock was insured-^ the New Zealand Office, only fJp has been retained by the conip^y- ; The South British heid risks amount- ij ing to £2000, the National ■of Zealand £1095, United £1090, No«" British and Mercantile £1000, Imperial £633, Northern £633. Commercial Union, Law Union, -.W" ■ Magdeburg also held re-insuranceS' The Victoria has i-isks amounting t° £1500 from their own clients' P o11" cies. ;;.;.-- Two lots of 50 bags each were sola at 8/6 per bag, and one lot containing- about 3400 bags brought £7o>