TE KUITI BLAZE

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1932, Page 5

TE KUITI BLAZE

ITS BIGGEST YET Five Premises Lost (per Press Association). AUCKLAND, September 19. A fire that is described as having been the biggest in the history of the town occurred at Te Kuiti to-night. It resulted in th destruction of five business premises. They were those occupied by the following:— H. C. Evans, boot and shoe store. Luen Cheng, fruiterer and confectioner. Te Kuiti Bargain Stores, owned by Mason and Dobson. D. McCorkind de, saddler. J. F. Hogan, tobacconist. The fire, apparently, started in the rear of the Bargain Stores, and it had firm hold before the alarm was given. The Fire Brigade saved the Post Office, which was scorched, and several of its windows were cracked. Most of the stock in McCorkindale’s shop was saved. Some of the stock was a’- » removed from Hogan’s shop. The Br’gide had a strenuous fight, being assisted in the salvage work by the police and the spectators. The insurances an* not available. Fires in Canterbury CHRISTCHURCH, September 19. A fire at Galdhurst yesterday destroyed Kent Lodge, a seventeenroomed house owned by Edward Cross, and an old landmark. The loss is estimated at £5OOO including jewellery valued at £250, and much antique furniture. TIMARU, September 19. Early this morning a spectacular blaze occurred in Sophia Street, when c he back portion of the block known as Radcliffe’s, was practically destroyed. When the brigade arrived the flames had already made considerable progress, and it was found impossible to save a portion of the building, the brigade concentrating its efforts on the endeavours to save the front portion of the Timaru Wrecking Company’s premises. A portion of the building occupied by Toe H was seriously damaged, the chapel and furniture being destroyed. The building was covered in the Alliance Company for £260, and the stock of the Wrecking Company for £2OO.

A SUSPICIOUS FIRE. WELLINGTON, September 19. A fire which occurred in an Aro Street residence on July 12, is the subject of a Magisterial inquiry being conducted by Coroner McNeil. The occupier, James H. Wood, and the London Insurance Company, are both represented by counsel. Evidence has been given that when the fire was put out, a litter of shavings lay about the rooms, and there was a smell of kerosene. Creeke, Deputy Superintendent of the Brigade, said the Brigade made what was called a good save. When he examined the place after the fire, he found five rooms covered over with, shavings. The fumes coming from the building when the Brigade’s men first arrived reeked of kerosene and turpentine. Witness afterwards gave details of how shavings lay about the floor and furniture, and how both furniture and walls were afterwards found to have been sprayed. August Wilkening, builder, and owner of the house, gave evidence as to having let the place to Wood at £2 a week. He said that Wood had always kept up payments. Witness mentioned that three months ago he had reduced the insurance from £l2OO to £lOOO. He knew of no enemies who would be likely to set it on fire.

Wood gave evidence that on July 11, he left with his wife and child at 7.15 p m., catching a boat for the South Island. He was a commercial traveller, and was going on a trip to the West Coast. He remained in Christchurch till the following Saturday. It was a business and holiday trip. He did not go to the West Coast, as his wife took ill in Christchurch. When he left the house everything was secure. There would be no supply of benzine, turps, or any other inflammable matter in the house. No shavings were kept about the place. He did not know of any enemies.