EXTENT OF HAVOC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 12

EXTENT OF HAVOC.

CLOSE EXAMINATION., LOSSES OVER £100,000. WELLINGTON CONFLAGRATION (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The full extent of the havoc wrought by last night's fire in the centre of the city was revealed to-day, confirming the damage estimate of over £100.000. At the seat of the outbreak in Victoria House, Victoria Street, all that remains is the shell of the gutted building. The duty of deciding whether the building shall be demolished rests with the city engineer's department, arr3 to-day the city engineer, Mr. K. E. Luke, and his oflicers, made a preliminary inspection. Severe damage to stock was caused by water in shops on the eastern side of Willis Street, and shopkeepers were engaged throughout the day in salvage work. It was also reported that the pilfering which occurred when stock was being removed during the lire was more widespread than was at first realised.

Individual Losses. Mr. E. A. Cattin, watchmaker and jeweller, said to-day that more than £30 worth of his stock was still missing. During the fire he had removed his complete stock to the Grand Hotel building, and it was during transit across the road, in which numbers of volunteer bystanders assisted, that the losses probably occurred. The major portion of the stock of F. J. W. Fear and Company, Willis Street, lay in the basement- to-day under oft of water. A member of the firm estimated the loss at £4000. A number of bicycles and others goods were. taken from the shop last night, he said, and although some of this stock had found its way to the firm's temporary premises, ho feared some might be missing. Mr. R. Turner, tobacconist, estimates his loss from pilfering at £30. Radio Sets The exact extent of losses from the Electrical Service Company, Limited, also in Willis Street, was not known to-day, but the manager said about 20 radio sets were still missing. He estimated the damage by water and by scratching of stock at about £400. The premises of Progress Motors, opposite Victoria House, suffered slight damage as a result of explosions. The premises are insured for £SOOO.