SUBURBAN FIRES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1914, Page 8

SUBURBAN FIRES

OUTBREAKS IN HUTT AND PETONE. No fewer than three fires— two in Petone and one at Lower Hutt — occurred in the Hutt Valley during the past fortyeight hours. Lower Hutt was the scene of the first outbreak, which happened at about 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. J The local brigade received a call to a four-roomed cottage on the Main-road, owned by Mrs. C. Lovett, and occupied by Mr. Hanson. Little trouble was experienced in subduing the flames, which, however, again broke out in the evening. This time the fire had a good hold and the building was completely gutted. The cottage was insured in the National office for £75, The effects were uninsured. Petone's turn came at about 6.30 o'clock last evening, when a, twb-story shop and dwelling on the corner of Bolton and Jackson streets was found to be in flames. Owing to the presence of a, strong northerly wind it was feared that the building would be completely destroyed, but, fortunately, the brigade was quickly upon the scene. Tho outbreak originated in an upstairs room on the south side, and tho brigade was thus able to suppress the flames without a. great deal of difficulty. One room was completely gutted, while slight damage was done to other parts of the building, the front portion and the rooms of the ground floor being damaged principally by water. The premises were used by Mr*. W. G. August as a fruit shop, and the furniture and stock were covered in the Queensland office for £100. The building, which was owned by Mr. Watson, of Shannon-street, Wellington, was insured' in the State office for £600. At about 4.30 this morning the brigade was called to attend a fire at a boardinghouse in Fitzherbei'Ustreet, Potone, occupied by Mrs. Wilson, and owned by Mrs. E. Murphy. Owing to some confusion the alarm was given late, and when, tho brigade arrived the building was burning furiously. The house was completely gutted, while the occupants lost practically all their effects. The furniture was insured in the Commercial Union office for £150, aDd the building for £175 in the State office.

A special meeting of the Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union is to be held in St.' Peter's Schoolroom, Ghuzneestreet, on Monday, 15th June, when th« following business will come up for consideration :— (1) To consider a motion by the president of the union for tho removal of the secretary and treasurer, who has been suspended by the president under rule 13. (2) To appoint a special committee to revise the rule* of the union, and frame rules for sick and accident fund, and to report to a subsequent meeting of the union. (3) To consider the balance-sheet and auditor's report< if ready in time for the meeting. Only financial members of the union will be admitted to the meeting. Afc the New Zoaland Club's luncheon to-morrow, General Sir lan Hamilton will be the chief guest and speaker. The annual general meeting of tho club, which was to have been held on Tuesday, has totiu ROgipou&d. uutil Tuesday week t