£8,000 DAMAGE

Evening Star, Issue 19994, 11 October 1928, Page 5

£B,OOO DAMAGE

BIG FIRE AT OAMARU [Pee United Press Association.] OAMARU, October 11. The biggest fire for nearly ten years occurred at 1.30 this morning at the Waitaki Buildings, a two-story structure in Thames street, owned by Mr W. Aikenhead, draper. The damage is estimated at about £B,OOO. _ Aikenhead’s shop was gutted, and his stock is a total loss. H. Grenfell’s mercery slock was badly damaged by water, J. Marten’s cycle and sporting stock was also damaged by water, L. Frame’s (hairdresser) stock and fitting were destroyed, the Misses Cartwright lost three pianos, furniture, and music, and the stock furniture and fittings ol J. Gunning (tailor), Mrs Gibson (dressmaker), and W, Brown (commission agent) are a total loss. The fire is believed to have started at Ihe rear of the building. A heavy wind made it a hard fight for the brigade. Aikenhead’s shop and the upstairs portion was gutted. 'The insurances are:—Aikenhead, £4.000 on the building in the National Office, and £3,200 on the stock in the New Zealand Office and the Standard (ho will be a heavy loser); Grenfell, £1,500 on the stock in the Sun, Now Zealand, and South British Offices; Martyn, £575 on stock and plant; Cartwright. £245 on furniture in the South British; Frame, £l5O. The fittings of Brown, Gibson, and Gunning wore insured for about £l5O.