THE WAIKINO FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 150, 25 June 1907, Page 6

THE WAIKINO FIRE.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WA3HI, this day. Further particulars of Sunday's fire at WaikLno confirms the report published in to-day's "Star," the fire lasting from 3 until 7 o'clock. Mr. Hennesey, in whose place the fire originated, was absent in Paeroa, having gone there by the 3 o'clock train on Saturday afternoon. A large quantity of dental appliances, owned by Mr. Cranwell, dentist, of Waihi, -were stored in 3>lr. Woolley's premises. During the fire a large gas cylinder exploded, and the concussion -was felt come distance away, a window in Montgomery's hotel being smashed by a package containing a gold -watch, which had also been left at Mr. Woolley's, and this too was destroyed along with the other contents of the building.

Residents are loud in their prai3e of the noble work done by the Waikino tattery hands in saving property, and it was undoubtedly due to their efforts that the work of destruction was confined to the five buildings.

The urgent need of a water supply has again been forcibly impressed upon the County Council and Government, and, until this great want is met, Waikino township will continue to be at the mercy of the fiery element. Nothing was saved from any of the shops, and the losses were very considerable. The insurances already published are correct, thcmgh the amount on Mr. A. E. Prices' buildings occupied by Shaw Bros, and Mrs Hennesey, and that of Mrs. Montgomery, of Surrey Hills, Auckland (occupied by Mr. Dickson), are not yet ascertainable. The losses are regarded as very serious, and, so far as I can gather, Mr. J. S. Woolley (chemist) estimates his loss at £100 above the insurance; Mr. Dickson. £200; R. and S. Shaw, £300; J. Hennesey, tailor, £300. The latter had no insurance on his stock, and it was understood that he was leaving for Paeroa next week.