HAMILTON FIRE DAMAGE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 10

HAMILTON FIRE DAMAGE

£lOO,OOO Conservative Estimate (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, May 13. As the proprietors sifted through the charred, blackened ruins of their businesses after yesterday’s serious fire which destroyed three shops and a warehouse in Hamilton, plans were set afoot for the realisation of the value of salvaged stocks and for the re-establishment of the businesses. Replacement of a building for which, it is understood, he paid more than £30,000 recently, is facing Mr Joseph Henderson, principal of Henderson’s Shoe Store. Mr Henderson owns the property which accommodated Fabric House and his own store. Helping their accountant to investigate the ruins for essential books. Messrs N. Carbon and R. W. Wickham, proprietors of Fabric House next door, rather wryly looked over the conglomerate mess of their second serious fire in 10 years. Above them there is little left of the sample room of Ross and Glendining, Ltd., which is now believed not to have contained a heavy stock. Insurance company representatives are now active in assessing the quantum of damage. No reliable figures have been available as yet. but proprietors of the businesses and of other similar businesses believe that the figure of £lOO.OOO might even be a conservative estimate to cover all aspects of the loss and replacements. Principals of the various firms affected have arrived from Wellington and Auckland to investigate the situation. Hugh Wright. Ltd., is understood to have lost 400 suits and a similar number of sports coats.