SERIOUS FIRES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 74, 30 March 1910, Page 7

SERIOUS FIRES.

• — TIMBER YARD DESTROYED AT LOWER HUTT. About three o'clock this morning a firo broke out at Lower Hutt and completely destroyed a joinery, plumbers', and painters' shop, together with the contents of a timber yard, belonging to Strand Bros., sawmillers. By the time Mr. Strand, whose residence adjoins the premises, had been aroused by the noiso of the lire, the ftaines had a strong hold on the main building. Mr. RixTrott (borough engineer), with tho assistance of Mr. K. Cairns, utilised an outstation hydrant to advantage, bub the members of the brigade were promptly on the scene. A splendid supply of water was available, but a heavy southerly gale which sprang up soon after the brigade arrived prolonged the work of suppression. The brigade, however, succeeded in saving two adjoining properties — the residences of Messrs. Strand and Gosse respectively — on either side of the mill. Besides the mill-plant and timber, three vehicles and five seta of harness wero lost. The firm, which reduced its insurance by several hundred pounds a few months ago, bad a policy of £700 on the workshop and machinery in the South British Office. The remainder of tho stock, including tools, timber, etc., was uninsured, and Mr. Strand calculates that over and above his insurance In has lost several hundred pounds. His residence and furniture, in respect to which the same company held a risk of about £300, was but slightly damaged. The damage to the other dwelling and the outbuildings attached — owned and occupied by Mr. P. H. Gosse — was more severe, the amount being estimated by the owner at between £200 and £300. The furniture was insured for £150 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and the house fo.r £400 in the Royal Office. DWELLING BURNED DOWN. [BT TEUSGBAFH — FBBB9 ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, This Day. A five-roomed dwelling owned by it. Lascelles and occupied by W. J. Sandford was totally destroyed by fire early this morning, the flames being fanned by a heavy southerly gale. Everything was burned and the inmates had a narrow escape. Insurance : — Building, £200 in the Sun office; furniture, £100 in the London and Lancashire.

Madam Patey will hold a farewell meeting at New Century Hall to-night, at 8 o clock, and will devote the whole evening to psychometry. Amalgamation of the Hutt River Board with the local borough council, a question that has been referred to from time to time, is likely to come prominently before the ratepayers shortly. Bearing on the matter an important proposal •s to be tabled at next meeting of the board, when Mr. F. J. Pinny will move : "That the time has arrived when the functions of the Hutt River Board ehould be vested in the Lower Hutt Borough Council." Mr. G. Willis, secretary of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, has been entrusted with the arrangements in connection with the visit of the inmates of the local charitable institutions to the matinee performance of "Peter Pan" next Wednesday, Mr. J. C. Williamson, through Bert Royle, having invited them to be present Those 'p charge of the institutions are requested to inform Mr. Willis of tho number of persons — young and old — whom they intend to send to witness the performance. "Bystander," writing m connection rrith the accident to the driver of an express in Kent-terrace on Monday evening, comments adversely on the action of those who crowded around as close to the injured man as possible. He also complains that it was three-quarters of on hour before the unfortunate man was removed to the hospital. The- writer continues : "I noticed a constable there, but he did not seem to bother about dispersing the crowd so that the man could get plenty of air, which ia most essential in such cases. In cases of perioub accidents, why not give the alarm to thp Fire Brigade Station, the same as they do in other countries ? By doing so the injured would be conveyed to the hospital while a doctor was being sought Itr.