FIRES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20028, 9 September 1930, Page 9

FIRES.

SMALL BACH BURNED. Fire 'completely destroyed a tworoomed bach and its contents at New Brighton yesterday morning. The premises were unoccupied, but in the ruins yesterday a shilling-in-the-stot gas meter was found. The money container of the meter was brokeu open and empty. , ~ . . Tho bach, which was the property ot Messrs Ayling and K>ng,- plumbers, was situated at 48 Nelson street Shortly after two o clock yesterday morning, a man, passing by, noticed that it was on fire. He summoned the New Brighton Volunteer Brigade, but on arrival they were able to do little to prevent the bach from burning to the ground, and concentrated on preventing the flames from spreading to neighbouring houses. It is considered by the owners of the bach that the Ending of the gas meter pointed to the cause of the fire. The two rooms were both furnished, although tho house was untenanted, but the premises were seldom occupied in winter. The property, together with the furniture, was insured with the Atlas Office for £2OO. PRIVATE HOTEL DESTROYED. (ra£33 association ■m.iojmi..) HAMILTON, September 8. The Grosvunor Private Hotel, of 35 rooms, owned by Iran Black, was burned to the ground at 3.30 this morning. Tho cause of the fire i 3 unknown." Nine people in the house escaped with their personal effects, SURPLUS OFFICERS.. ! NO OFFER FROM IMPERIAL ! AUTHORITIES. WELLINGTON, September 8. Last week's announcement that the Colonial Office and the War Office had offered to absorb some of the permanent officers of the New Zealand Military forces who may be surplus to requirements, following the retrenchment in the service,' appears to have been premature. The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, Major-General Young, when questioned on the matter to-day, said he was certainly in com niunication with the Imperial Government through the High Commissioner, Sir Thomas Wilford, and through another official in close touch with the War Office. The last news he had received on the subject from England came a week ago, the effect of that being that the Home authorities would do what they could to find employment i'or New Zealand officers. A circular was accordingly issued with a view to ascertaining what officers would be agreeable to accepting service abroad if they could be absorbed by the Imperial authorities. He surmised that it was tho contents of that circular which had been responsible for the premature announcement that officers could be absorbed abroad when, as a matter of fact, negotiations to that end were still incomplete. General Young added that he was in communication with the Home authorities, and it was probable that definite information as to the full nature of the offer to absorb New Zealand officers would be received shortly. One important matter yet to be settled was whether the Imperial Government would pay the passage money of officers willing to go abroad. He realised that it would not be possible for all surplus officers to be placed in that way. For example, it would probably not be convenient for an officer with a wife and family to accept service in the Sudan, for their dependents would have to remain in Alexandria.