DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1928, Page 7

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

BOWLING PAVILION DAMAGED. AUCKLAND January W. Auckland Bowling Club’s pavilion,' Crafton Road, the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, was badly damaged j by fire, early this morning. One corner of the building and a large part of the roof were destroyed. Much damage was done to furniture, fit tings, and members’ property. Most of the records and trophies Were saved The caretaker’s house adjoining was undamaged. The pavilion was not used by' members yesterday. Presumably the fire was caused by someone breaking into the building, and dropping a lighted match. The pavilion pnd caretaker’s house were insured for £2700 Members’ property £l5OO, furniture £l5O, all in the New Zealand Insurance Co. The greens, "bowling tennis and croquet escaped ■with very little damage. JEWELLERY SHOP GUTTED. WHAKATANE, January 16. Fire completely gutted D. Bergman ’s jewellery shop, in the Strand at two o’clock* on Sunday morning. The shop forms part of a theatre building arid the theatre itself was only saved through the prompt action of the brigade, and excellent pressure of the borough water supply. The building is owned by Calder and Mac Diarmid. The amount of insurance is not available. TIMBERMILL DESTROYED. AUCKLAND, January IG. Casey’s timbermill at Freeman Bay together w)ith machinery, was destroyed by fire early this morning. The adjacent box factory was undamaged. The mill is situated in the vicinity of boatbuilding yards and petrol storejS, but fortunately, the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. The insurances on the mill and contents were £3500. SCHOOL HOUSE BURNT. INVERCARGILL, January 15. Through sparks from a scrub fire alighting on the school house at Awarua Plains, the building and contents were completely destroyed in the early hours of Friday morning. The furniture was insured for £350, but there was no insurance on the building. SCENIC RESERVE DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, January 16. Late yesterday afternoon, fire broke out* in the City Park known as Wilton’s Bush, and though the brigade tackled it, the best part of the acre of pine bush was destroyed. There is not too much bush ieft, as it is, and this further reduction is most unfortunate.