BIG FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15650, 24 July 1916, Page 4

BIG FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

IXXSS ESTIMATED AT £-20,000.

(raiss association telegram.) NEW PLYMOUTH. July 22. The biggest fire for over thirty years occurred early tins morning. The buildings 1 completely destroyed include :-rThc Theatre Royal. Govett and Qui Ham's buildings. The A.M.P. building (in process of demolition), Walter Bewlev's, Hugh Bailey's, Austin Bcwley's,

Monteith's offices, and J. B. McEwan and Co.'s warehouso. Veale's grocery was gutted. Buildings on tho opposite sido of the street were damaged. Tho fire had a good hold before it was discovered, and a high wind compelled tho firemen to direct their attention to the buildings across the streets.

'J'he tram service to tho West end of the town was interrupted. Tho insurances 011 the buildings affoctcd by the fire are incomplete, owing to confusion and loss of papers. Tho Theatre Royal, which was a total loss, was owned hv tho Taranaki Amusements company, and was insured for £500 in the Guardian office. £1000 will not cover tho loss, which includes 400 new seats stored in tho basement for a new picture theatre, and which were uninsured.

The offices of Monteith and Austin Bewlev were owned by Mr Wyborn, and insured for £€00 in the New Zealand, and £100 in the Commercial Union offices. Monteith's effects wero uninsured. Bewley's loss is covered in the British and Dominions offico.

McEwan and Co.'s warehouse was a total loss. The insurances are unavailable at present. Govett and Quilliam's building was insured in the Royal office for £1000, and the furniture in the same oflico for £400. It was totally destroyed.

Veale's building, owned by Cunningham's Estate, was insured for £400 in the South British office, and the stock for £500 in the same office. Veale's loss is estimated at £1000.

Cannon's furniture in the same building was insured for £175 in tho Royal Exchange office.

The South British, State, Phoenix and Guardian oinees arc in teres fed for' smaller amounts on partial losses. Across the street Sladden and Palmer (surveyors) lost all their plans, instruments, etc.

The Fire Brigade worked splendidly, bub valuable time wag lost in giving the alarm. The Brigade's efforts on arrival had to bo directed to saving the buildings across Devon street and tho White Hart Hotel ahd Coffee Palace, which were both endrmgered. Tt was impossible to check the main fire.