FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 8

FIRES.

[Per Press Association,] AUCKLAND, September 17. Crosby’s Hotel, Karangahake, owned by W. B. Montgomery, was destroyed by lire, also the Volunteer Hall, adjoining the hotel. Tbe hotel was insured lor £I2OO, the stock, furniture, etc., lor £BSO in the New Zealand Company. The Volunteer Hall, which was owned by Mrs Montgomery, was insured in the New Zealand Office'for £250. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 17. Early this morning a destructive fire at Waitara totally destroyed the Waitara Hotel, Dugdale’s furniture establishment and Samson’s stationery shop and billiard rooms. A housemaid was awakened by a crackling noise in the hotel and the fire was located in the dining-room. No water being available, tho place was soon enveloped. By pulling down intervening buildings and dynamiting tho burning portion, several premises, including these of tbe “ Waitara Mail,” were saved. The licensee, Captain Young, late of the Otago Buffet, Wellington, is a heavy loser, having only taken possession a fortnight ago and paid £IBOO for the lease. The building is owned by Mr D. Leslie, Auckland, and insured in the joint name of the owner and the Waitara Harbour Board for £9OO in the Sun Office. The furniture and stock are insured for £350 in the Sun Ofiice and £250 in the Commercial Union. Captain Young estimates his loss at £BOO, including £450 personal effects uninsured, and the boarders also are considerable losers. Mr Dugdalo’s stock was insured for £230 in the Sun Office and the building for £IOO in the South British. He estimates his loss at £250. Mr Sampson’s building has a cover of £2OO in the South British, the billiard table was insured for £IOO in the South British and the stock was uninsured. He estimates his Ices in stock at £2OO. The origin of the outbreak is a mystery. A four-roomed cottage at Aylesbury, the property of the Railway Department, and occupied by a surfaceman, was totally destroyed by fire on Saturday night. Mr R. Gibson, the occupier, who was away at the time, lost all his personal effects. A fire occurred at Lyttelton shortly before eight o’clock last evening in a building situated near the dock and used by Mr Tkoma-s Westlake as a workshop. The Fire Brigade was called cut arid succeeded in saving the building, though it was damaged to the extent of about £3O. Some £ls worth of tools were destroyed, a boat was damaged to the extent of about £ls, and a set of sails belonging to Professor Scott also suffered. The building and its contents were not insured.