DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 512, 20 May 1909, Page 6

DEFENCE

■ ~A. GISBORNE RESOLUTION. ..■.(BI, TEtEGEiPU—PE£SS ASSOCIATION.) • .pi „ '. _ Cisborne, May 19. Ihe Borough Council resolved: "That, in view, of the necessity for. a more efficient sys: torn of land defenco in New Zealand, andin view of the fact that an Imperial Confercnco on the question of defence is shortly to be held, to be attended by a representative^. New Zealand,^his.Worship the Mayor callja; puWic meeting' to ascertain definitely | P U P>'<? question of defence m this Tho roason given was that as Sir Joseph/Ward was going Home to the contermco on. the matter, it was advisable that hb should go'backed 'up ; by public opinion. r : ME. M*NAB'S CRUSADE. , r Hamilton, May 19. . Mr. R. M'Nab last mght addressed a crowded - house. on tho subject of universal military training. Ho was accorded an en- . thusiastio reception. .: With no dissenting ■voicesy a motion was .carried to the effect that it was necessary to devise a moro efficient means of defence, and that tho only effective way was by introducing a system of universal military training. It was decided to send the; resolution to the Primo Minister, reauesting thai.legislation bo mtroduccd next session to this end. palmerston North, May 19. It is expected that Mr. M'Nab's meeting here, in advocacy of universal training, wiu be hold on Juno 7, at tho Municipal Opera House. DREADNOUGHT APPROVED. . Napier, May 19. - Tho quarterly moeting of the Chambor of Commerce, with ono dissentient, resolved:— "That' this' chamber 'heartily endorses tho action of tho recent conference of Chambers of Commerce at Wellington in supporting tho Primo Minister's action in. offering a Dreadnought to the British Government."

lodged at the bank. Harris and Son lost everything, including a printing plant. Mr. C. E. Gibbons's loss is also heavy.. Ho recently effected extensive; improvements and, a few months ago, imported a complete manufacturing plant at considerable cost. Some of his | stock was saved, but the machinery, was destroyed. Mr. T. C. Trott's stock was removed, but considerably damaged, but his IO3S will be covered by insurances. Tho stock at Williams, Ingle.and Co.'a store was also removed. The large stables at the back, owned by: Brice, Broad and Co., were only insured for £75. This' building carried a large stock of manures and farm produce, which was uninsured, so, that the firm's loss is Heavy. The building was valued at £300. , ; ; . ; Insurances., The insurances are:—C. E. Gibbons's Mrdial factory, ■ £300 on the building and stock in the Allianco office, and £100 on tho new machinery in the Liverpool and London and Globe office. Harris and Ladley's stock was insured for £75 in tho Royal, and Harris and Son's office for; £150 in' the United, with £50 on the printing plant and effects in the Norwich office. Brice, Broad and Co. had a risk of £75 in tho Commercial Union. The Salvation Army Barracks cost about £300 to build, but, as the officers are away in Palmerston at present,_ the insurance.cannot be ascertained. This is the second time that the Salvation Army has been burnt out in' Marton. ' .j ; j ''THE GREAT MASTERTON BLAZE. ' ADDITIONAL DETAILS. ' (BT TIDSBSAPn—FKXSS ISSOCIATtON.) '. Masterton, May 19. • In addition to the previously published account' of tho extonsive fire which occurred at Masterton early on Wednesday morning, the following particulars are now to hand :—The conflagration broke out at tho back of a large : unoccupied boarding-house, formorly part of the premises known as "The Star Block," and containing Clarke's restaurant, Blmknorne's : hairdresser's shop, Ah' Lop's fruiterer's shop, Cole and Westerman's drapery ; establishment, ' Homo's -confectionery shop, and Langston s billiard room. Tho fire had' a good hold when the , alarm was given. The buildings belonged to tho Trust Lands Trust, and were erected many years ago. Tho brigade did splendid work; and-confined tho firo to Ah Lop's and Home's premises, and the unoccupied boarding-house. Mr. and Mrs. Homo and two children slept on the premises, and had , a rather narrow escape. . Revised Insurances. The revised insurances are:—Ah Lop's building, including billiard-room, and shops, and boarding-house, £250 in the London and Lancashire Office; billiard-tables and fittings (belonging to Mr. Langston), £200 in tho North British; corner block (of which Mr. Home's premises wore gutted, the remaining three shops being all moro'or less damaged), £800, including £600 in the Northern Assurance Company, and £200 in tho Allianco. Mr. Homo's stock and furniture was insured for £300 in tho Allianco: Mr. Blinkhorno,tobacconist and hairdresser, had his stock insurod , for £400 in the Commercial Union, and the Dominion Cafe was insured for £150 on the stock and fittings in tho Guardian offioo, and £150 on tho building in tho Northern office. . Messrs. Cole and Westerman's stock was, insured for £575, and tho fittings for £25 in- tho Royal offico. ■ Ah Lop'had his stock insured for £50 in the Liverpool London and Globo offico. ' - Estimated Loss very Heavy. The gr&iter portion of- the block of buildings, in which the firo originated was over thirty years old, boing built of heart of totara timber. He premisos occupied by Ah Lop, I\ Langstone, and W. Home wero practically destroyed, and the remaining shops in it_i»~hoped.