DISASTROUS BLAZE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10508, 11 February 1928, Page 9

DISASTROUS BLAZE.

MR J. R. KIRK’S RESIDENCE i.N ■ ASHES. COMPLETE LOSS. One more has been added to the growing list in liies iri tlie district, ami tins time it is one oi the nnest tuul largest residences m the town, being tne house oi .Mr J. K. rvirK, standing in beuutuul groun(is„known a.-> "Caerieon, Lytton Jioad, a property which .Mr ivirk noquned soffit two years ago wnen be sold to Air Larry his ivaiti property known as "orient-aim.”

Captain Ivirk has been in camp with the territorials at Je Karaka tor the past seven days and motored into town yesterday morning, but it was riot until noon that lie was übte to go to Jus lioinc, where lie lound everything as usual. No hies were alight, and Airs Kirk had gone to the beach with some friends tor a picnic. Air Kirk changed ins military uniform lor civilian dress, and reached town about one o’clock. He had no lunch at home and no match was struck. Everything, lie states, appeared to be perlectly in order, and there was no appearance anywhere of any tire having been lit that day. it transpires that at about hallpast one o'clock'll*i employee of the Power Board, accompanied by Air Boswell, wlio is weft acquainted with tlie property, went through the liouse lor Lhe purpose ot inspecting in connection witn the. change over from direct to alternating current and so lar as is known, appear to have been the last persons on the premises. Air Lusweil states that no tight was Jit and everything ap : pea red to be in perfectly sale condition when they left. Air Kirk was engaged in Court and received the fateful messagpi that hi.-t bouse was afire shortly alter three o’clock. Motoring quickly to the scene, lie found that the Jinnies had a tremendous hold, and, despite the strenuous efforts of tlie firemen, the net in budding was soon reduced to a mass of debris.

The home consisted of n main building of eight rooms, with various wide verandahs and alcoves, bathroom and other appointment*, and guests’ rooms, also pantries and linen presses, etc. Adjoining was a separate building of two rooms for maids and another separate building vvitli bath room, etc., for guests, the nceorhmodntion being equal to twelve living rooms. Ih-hind the .litHitt building was a wash-house, arid outside lavatory. As stated, the main building has been completely demolished, only the chimneys standing. .The guest house lias been charred on one side and windows have been broken,-while the washhouse lias been extensively burnt, the only building to escape being the maids’ rooms. Much sympathy will bo extended to Air Kirk* in the'loss of his fine library, containing as it. did volumes ol outstanding authors. His pictures, Loo, which wore well selected and included the works of famous er.tists, have nearly all been destroyed as well as his medals, uniform and other mementos of the Great \\ ar. Curios from all parts of tne world, gcJlicmi during visits to Europe, .the South Sea Islands, the West Indies and America and Canada were also lost.

Insurances on the. buildings arc £2OOO in the Standard Office and on the furniture and effects £IOOO in the same office. On the latter especially Mr Kirk will be a heavy loser.

STACKS OF HAY DESTROYED. I.NC-KXBIARJSAI SUSPECTED. (Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Fob. it). Fire destroyed three valuable stacks of liav on Mr F. E. Fairweafcher’s Homelands property at Burleigh. The circumstances are -most suspicious, and it is considered that the fire had an incendiary origin. Air Fairwoather arrived home at II p.m., and there was then no sign of fire, but fifteen minutes later the three stacks simultaneously broke into flames, while there was also an outbreak in a hedge about 150yds distant. The night was calm, and there was no possibility of the tire having been spread by the wind, while the stacks had beci>i laid down since December 23, so that there is no possibility of the outJireak having been caused' hy tion. The stacks contained, about 50 ton of prime rye grass, white clover and lucerne hay, and were worth about £250. They: represent the whole, of Air Fairweather s wintei feed. The police have been asked to investigate the matter. —i’.A.

Protect yourself against losses b' Fire by insuring with the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Ltd.W. Lissant Clayton.— (Adt.).

Be prepared. See ttiat you have adequate insurance ou your house ant Furniture. Consult the Mercantile u General Insurance Co., Ltd., Bull and Edwards District Agents. It is a local Company with all its capital invested in New Zealand, therefore prompt settlements —(A d v.)