FIRE DESTROYS MINES’ OFFICE BUILDINGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 6

FIRE DESTROYS MINES’ OFFICE BUILDINGS

(P.AJ WESTPORT, July 22. A fire which was discovered at 5.30 a.m. today when flames were seen shooting through the roof of the building comDletely destroyed a block of offices at Denniston formerly the property of the Westport Coal Company and recently transferred to the State. Although the fire brigade was quickly on the scene, the fire had such a strong hold that it was impossible to save the building or contents, and by 7.30 a.m. there remained only a smouldering ruin. However, a good save was made of Mr. N. Shand’s adjoining residence to which the fire had spread. The burned block incorporated the main pay office for the Denniston miners and six other rooms used by managers, surveyors and clerks. A start had been made on the construction of a flat as an addition to the main building and it was intended for use by the paymaster. That partlycompleted building was also destroyed by the fire. The destruction of the Westport Company's records will be a severe loss to the Mines Department as they are understood to contain important' information concerning the mines in the Denniston area recently acquired by the State.