FIRE LOSSES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 59, 4 December 1923, Page 6

FIRE LOSSES

LEESTON HOTEL BURNED DOWN

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, December 3. The Leeston Hotel, a very old wooden building, comprising seventeen rooms, was destroyed by fire early on Sunday, together with an adjoining building used as an office by Springs, the Ellesmere Electric Power Board, and Smithson and Mosley, solicitors. The only articles saved were a few personal belongings which the occupants were able to pick up as they made their flight. Many of the inmates had to escape in their night attire. The hotel building was owned by Mr. James McCormack, of Christchurch.. His son, James McCormack, is the present licensee. The building was very old and blazed so fiercely as to set fire to buildings opposite, and also to the grandstand in the recreation reserve 200 yards away. but these outbreaks were extinguished. The buildings were insured for £2500 in the Southern Union Office, the stock for £6OO, and the furniture for £4OO. The fire burned the electric mams, cutting off power for milking plants.

TAXI PROPRIETOR’S LOSS By Telegraph—Press Association. Dargaville, December 3. A fire yesterday morning totally destroyed a motor-car and moton-shed owned by T. Mason, taxi proprietor. The insurance on the ear was £4OO in the Standard Office. The owner’s' loss is considerably over this amount.