SUVA FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 35, 12 February 1923, Page 8

SUVA FIRE

HINDU AND CHINESE SHOPS

BURNED

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £20,000.

CBI TEIiEORAPII.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND', This Day

The Hon. J. B. Turner, who is at present in Auckland, has received by cable advice of the fire that swept one side of Gumming street, Suva, Fiji, on Saturday. The cablegram states that the fire demolished all the business premises in, its path. The municipal markets were saved. Buildings destroyed are valued, approximately, at £20,000, and it is believed that they are insured for about £7000.

Gumming street, or "All Nations street," as it is more generally known to visitors to Fiji, is a narrow thoroughfare in the business part of the town, and the shopping- centre for Fijians and others of the coloured population. The street is approximately about 150 yards long and is lined on both sides with shops of all descriptions, kept mainly by Hindus and Chinese. These premises are one and two-storied wooden structures. Those on the side swept by the fire were all owned by Mr. W. H. Terry. At the back of these buildings are tlie banks of the Nabukulau Creek, which flows through that part of the town and separates the fire-swept area from the central business block, which contains some of the largest wholesale and retail stores in tho town. Almost the whole of the buildings destroyed were old. but the municipal markets, where fruit, produce, and tobacco are offered for sale by growers, are comparatively modern. In the saving- of these markets, very serious dislocation of trade has been averted.

AUCKLAND. This Day. The Royal Insurance Company has been advised that the damage by the fire at Suva was £50,000, and that the insurances were £30,000. The • Royal Company's loss is comparatively small, the majority of the risks being held by a local company in which the business men of Suva have shares.