Destructive Fire at Carterton.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 301, 23 March 1903, Page 3

Destructive Fire at Carterton.

INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY <JOOD WORK BY FIRE BRIGADE. CITIZENS RENDER VALUABLE _ • ASSISTANCE. (Per Press Association). Cabterton, This day. ' Otlfi Of til© WWBtf serious and AeßtraatlV« fil^ WBt tSQOtClecl in Cfcriertori oqourred at four b'efoek morning, when H. Catt's large and well-stockedl saddlery shop, together with the Bank of New Zealand's premises and the manager's residence, were destroyed. The outbreak, which had a strong hold when first discovered in, Catt's shop, gradually made its way back to the Bank of New Zealand, which, owing to the limited supply of water, •was soon devoured by flames. ? . Q. A. Fairbrother's private residence on the north side caught several times, but the efforts of the fire-brigade, assitei by a large number of citizens, who formed themselves into a bucket brigade, resulted in the building being saved, though considerably damaged, W. Parker's unodcupied shop on the south side was saved by the strenuous exertions of tne brigade and citizens. Moriarty's large store on tb© opposite side of the read, the saving of whose premises waa absolutely tke salvation of the principal part of the town, was conaideraly scorched and the plate glass Fent»ft> bi»^4ißgSiottfiß was also, badly scorched, and tlie office of the Registrar/ ef Electors, caught, but was extinguished. , x The origin of the fire is a mystery. The water supply. >was most inade-- . quate, and had it not been for the absence of any wind the biggest portion of the businesapremises would have been destroyed. 1f / -«''■' The insurances . are as follows— i^tt's stock, £126 in the South British ; "building (owned by R. Armstrong), £125 in the Liverpool, London and Globe ; Fairbrother's house, £300 in the Liverpool, London and. Globe, furniture £150 in the National; Bank of New Zealand £310 in the New Zealand office 5 Cormack's furniture is insured, but the 'amount and office is unascertainable. • In the cases of places saved the losses are covered by insurance. H. Gatt is a heavy loser. , The fire brigade working heroically, notwithstanding,. . the . disadvantages tbTOUgll the supply of /Water. The strong Tqom was broken open it midday, and though the fire had got inside no serious domage is expected. ■>..-■■