BELFAST STABLES FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1944, Page 3

BELFAST STABLES FIRE

FIVE PACERS LOST.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. A fire which broke out in the stables at Belfast owned by Mr. C. S. Donald, one oi the leading trotting trainers and studmasters in New Zealand, this morning, caused the death of five ' standard-bred horses, and destroyed a building and a large quantity of valuable trotting gear, the total loss representing some thousands of pounds The dead horses included the well-known pacing stallion, Accountant, winner of more than £4OOO and owned by Mr. W. E. Stickings, of Christchurch; the four-year-old colt, Senator (Jack Potts —Dillon Squared), a brother to Joan Conquest, owned by the Auckland sportsmen, Messrs Gudsell and Barker; a three-year-old colt by Jack Potts—Bracken, owned by Mr. W. E. Stickings; a three-year-old gelding by Lusty Volo—Jack Potts mare, the’ name of the owner of which cannot be ascertained; a yearling filly by Lusty Volo—Marama Rose, owned by Mr. L. Mortlock, Christchurch.

The fire, the cause of which is not known, was first noticed at 4 a.m. by a neighbour, who gave the alarm. The stables in which the outbreak occurred were situated at the rear of the main stables and were divided into two blocks, one of five boxes, the other of three. Before any rescue could be attempted the fire had a complete hold of the block of five boxes, which was completely destroyed. It was impossible to save any" of the occupants, three of which appeared to have been suffocated and not burnt. The adjoining block was saved.