FIRE AT HUNTLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 5

FIRE AT HUNTLY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

HUNTLY, this day.

On Friday morning a fire broke out in the living rooms at the back of Miss O'Connor's fruit and confectionery rooms. Before it was noticed the fire had gained such a hold that to save the building was impossible. The whole building, comprising the dwelling of Mrs. O'Connor, Miss O'Connor's shop, and the offices of Mr. James Elliot, land and estate agent, was burned to the ground. There was considerable difficulty in saving the post office on the south and the cottage of Mr. Heyes on the north side of the doomed building. Mr. Heyes' residence escaped practically without damage, but the post office was less fortunate, the windows being burned out, the walls charred, the telegraph wires and the large pole near the office wrecked. The telegraph and telephone services were disarranged for the whole morning. The furniture and belongings of the postmaster, Mr. Matthews, were damaged badly by water.

None of the contents of the burned buildings were saved. The Misses O'Connor's furniture and stock were destroyed, and Mr. Elliot suffered considerable loss, plans, deeds, books, and papers being destroyed. Mr. Matthews' furniture and Mr. Elliot's office fittings were insured in the South British. Miss O'Connor's furniture was insured in the Guardian Office, and stock in the Australian Alliance. The buildings destroyed were the property of Miss Ralph. This is the second occasion on which the post office has been injured by fire, the previous occasion being the burning down of Ralph's Hall.