FIRES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19343, 22 June 1928, Page 9

FIRES.

SHOP DESTROYED AT SYDENHAM. Shortly after 2 a.m. yesterday, the Central Fire Brigade received a call to 347 Colombo street., where a fire had broken oat in a confectionery shop. The outbreak had started under a couriler at the rear of the shop, which, together with the contents, was destroyed. The brigade was successful in suppressing the flames before they damaged the remainder of the buildine.

The building was owned bv Messrs Hollis Ltd., ana occupied by Mrs M. J. Haase. It was insured for £BOO in the Mercantile and General Office, and the personal effects.for £6O.

WRAGGE INSTITUTE DESTROYED [THE PBBSS Special Swrie«.J AUCKLAND, June 21. The Institute and Museum at Barkenhead, established by the late Mr Clement L. Wragge in his tropical gardens, were reduced to ashes last evening, together with a largo and valuable collection of South Sea Island curios gathered throughout the lifetime of the scientist, and also a telescope and other meteorological instruments which were such groat assets in formulating the weather forecasts so frequently issued by the late Mr Clement Wragge. The Institute, a wooden building comprising six rooms, was separated from the private residence, the latter being in the same grounds, but some forty feet distant on higher ground. The outbreak was discovered a little before 9 o'clock, but delay, was unfortunately experienced in getting telephonic connexion with Northcote to summon that Fire Brigade. The Birkenhead borough have an arrangement that the Northcote firemen's service can be called upon as Birkenhead does not possess a fire-fighting organisation. The firemen made good time in getting to the scene, but the fire then H'd a start of practically half an hour, and Baving any portion of the fiercely burning mass was hopeless. Good work was done, however, by preventing the spread of the flames to tho adjoining residence and trees and tropical growth in the gardens. The Birkenhead Postmaster telephoned promptly to the Birkenhead Council Office, where tho Borough Council was holding its ordinary meeting. This was suspended to enable members to proceed forthwith by motor-car to the, burning building, taking with them a hydrant and length of hose from the fire box at the Borough Chambers. On arrival, however, this was of no avail as the fire plug was located too far up the street, and consequently the hose was not of sufficient length to reach the fire.

The residence was occupied by Mr Kismet Wragge, who went across to Auckland two hours or more before the outbreak in the lower building. The insurance on the building in the Home Office totalled £750. The contents were not insured.

Are YOU adequately insured? Con suit the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd., Hereford street. Prompt settlements. —6'