FIRE AT WAIHI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1902, Page 5

FIRE AT WAIHI.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WAIHI, this day,

A destructive fire occurred here last evening at 7 o'clock in a block of building's owned by Mr J. Slevin, situated opposite the National Bank in the main street. The first portion of the block, a two-storied building, was occupied by Mr Mellor as J a music warehouse, Mr Moss (solicitor), and Mrs Craig (milliner), and the remaining portion by AEr Webber (bootmaker), Mr Max King (agent), and Mr Haslett (solicitor). The fire originated in Mrs Craig's establishment, situated in the centre of the block. Mrs Craig had gone to church, leaving her children at home, and it is 'thought they upset a.lamp. The shop and dwelling rooms downstairs and the upstairs portion were completely gutted, and everything burnt, including a piano. Mrs Craig had no insurance on her furniture, and but little on her stock. . Mr Mellor had no insurance, but he saved most of his goods, though they were damaged. Mr W T ebber also saved his stock, which was damaged. Webber's stock was insured for about one-third its .value. The premises occugied by 1 Messrs Max Iving, Haslett and Moss were only partially damaged. Mr Slevin, the owner of the-block, is insured in the Imperial for -an amount which about covers his loss. The brigade; were prompt!}' on the spot,, and had it not been for their exertions, probably the entire side of the street, including the National Bank, would have - been burned. 11n Mrs Craig's premises the fire burnt right up to the roof. She is a heavy loser.

On enquiry at the Auckland Office of the Imperial Insurance Company, we learned that Mr Slevin had two shops insured for a total sum of. £400. One of these shops was that occupied by Mrs Craig, and the other was an adjoining shop mentioned -in their books as occupied by Mr E. N. Simmonds, stationer. Mr Webber's insurance was not effected with this office.