DISASTROUS FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1904, Page 6

DISASTROUS FIRES.

CONFLAGRATION AT PALMERSTON NORTH. PALMERSTON N., January 28. The most serious fire that has taken place here for ten years broke out just before three o'clock this morning in a billiard room in the Square.

The water supply had been cut off owing to the lowness of the reservoir, and while pressure, was being got up the flames spread, and the following places were -totally destroyed:—

Clarendon Hotel (Mrs Tait, licensee). Premises of Mr Gascoine, storekeeper. Merriman, jeweller R. Hannah, boot and shoe shop. Kavanagh, tobacconist.

Offices of Mr West, architect, and Meatyard (solicitor). and Hunter (Farmers' Union Secretary). Smith's stables. Coombs, saddlery. Wishart, engraver. Practically nothing was saved. The whole of the buildings destroyed were owned by Mr J. CarrolL THE INSURANCES. The insurances, so far as can be ascertained, total £7780. The loss above insurance is estimated at £5110, the total damage being £14.000. Details of the insurances are—

New Zealand Insurance Co.: Mrs Tait, Clarendon Stable, £200; Mr Carroll, buildings, £4025; Mr Smith, effects, £260: Mr Wishart, tools, £30: Mrs Fleming, furniture stored at Smith's, £-200.

North Queensland Oflice: Mr Kavanagh. stock, £025: Mr A. Merriman, stock. £150: Mrs Tail, stock and furniture. £ 350. Some of the amounts in this oflice are re-insured with the Imperial Office.

Commercial Union Office: Mr Gascoign, stock, £700; Mr Coombs, stock, £ 100.

Alliance: Mr Hopkins, billiard table and fittings, £ 150. Mr Hannah's stock (insured in Wellington) is not included in the above.

BIG BLAZE NEAR STRATFORD. STRATFORD. Jannary 28. A destructive fire occurred at Midhirst at four o'clock this morning. It originated in a fireplace. Five buildings were totally destroyed, viz., those occupied by Mr Foster, confectioner. Collins, commission agent. Bank of New Zealand Office, Bennett's (unoccupied). Mynottj saddler. Mrs Turner's tea rooms. Mr White, bookmaker. Luder's, storekeeper. The separate insurances are not available y*>t, but it is known tlutt they do not nearly mrc r the loss.

i-'IRE AT AOROA. TIMBKK MILL DESTROYED. Word lias teen received that the smaller of the two timber-mills o'.rned by the Mitchelson Timber Company at Aoroa -»a.s burjied down on Saturday, and about 100,000 ft. of timber "was destroyed. The mill and eontepte were insured for £2300 in the Alliance Office The timber in the yard was insured for £7500, but until the stock is taken, the amount of Carnage cannot be estimated. The mill was to have been removed shortly to llokianga, and in consequence of the fire some 25 men will be without work.

I CONFLAGRATION AT GORE. TWENTY-TWO SHOPS AND OFFICES BURNED. INVERCARGELL, Jan. 29. A fire, which played havoc with Gore, Ibis morning destroyed an imposing block of buildings, erected about two years ago, ou an angle formed by Mersey and Main Streets. The block was threestoreyed in front, and handsomely finished, and behind Holland's Arcade, extended from street to .street, terminating in graceful archways. There was a fair amount of salvage, but the losses run to £;>O.OOU. The cause of the tire is unknown. Tile names of those who sustained loss, and the extent of the insurances are as follow: AtacGibboxi and Co., grocers and drapers. £'2500 in the National Office on the building (less £1500 iivcr insurance), and 14200 on their stock (£ISOO loss). Burley and (A>.. furniture dealers, no insurance, loss £255. Lawlor. no insurance, loss £175. McGonachy, £200 in tlio Australian Alliance (loss £100). Federal Co., £2.50 in the Yorkshire on stock in the Arcade showroovn (loss £l") 0). Federal Co., £1000 on the buildings (portion occupied by Nteaiisf. badly damaged Steans. £400 in the >iew Zealand, on stock and fittinge (loss considerable. Holland £4000 in Standard on Arcade and other shops, and £f>oo in the Ocean Accident (loss over £3500 above insurances), liorni." office furniture and fittings, no insurance (loss £S0). Mrs. Kenning, no insurance (loss £200). Henderson, no insurance (loss £130). Carr, no insurance, (loss £350. City Grocery Co., £050 in Standard (loss £400)- Gatehouse* and Brims, £20 in the North British and £400 in the New Zealand (loss £200). Miss D. Cotter. £200 in the Standard... (loss £4WI). Lawlor, no insurance (loss £75). luder, £150 in the Standard (loss* £150. Neaw. no insurance, (loss £75). R. Buchanan. £300 in the Sun (considerable loss), biffiou McDonald, no insurance, loss £100. -Jamie, £200 in the Standard (loss 1100). Mrs. Mulhare. no insurance, loss £200. Simon Bros., £400 in the. South British (loss considerable).