GREAT FIRE IN HOKITIKA.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 185, 24 July 1869, Page 5

GREAT FIRE IN HOKITIKA.

Telegrams from Hokitika, dated, Monday last, says;—A great fire broke out in Revell street, yesterday morning at 4 o'clock, by which twenty houses were destroyed. The estimated loss is £20,000, although the fire was extinguished by eight o’clock the same morning. None of the sufferers were insured. The origin of the fire is unknown. Considering the way in which the town is built and inflammable nature of the material, Hokitika may be said to have had a most marvellous escape, which can only be attributed to the calm weather and the plentiful supply of water at hand in wells and tanks. The principal sufferers are—Mr. Moss, bookseller; Mr. M‘Govern, Hotel keeper; Mr. Meyerstein, ironmonger; Mr. Ross, fruiterer; Mr. Levy, oyster shop (where the fire originated); Mrs. Haigh and Perkins, photographers; Mr Hansen, hotelkeeper; Mr. Walker, Casino de Venice; Mr. Goulster, clothier; Mr Webb, fruiterer; Mr. Luks, Oriental Hotel; Mr. Johnson ironmonger, who is the heaviest loser, his loss being estimated at £5000; Mr Osborne jeweller; Tillbrook and Ives,' printers; Mr. Last, dentist; Mr*. Gaskins, merchant, who owned two of the hotels, .which he valued at £2OOO.

Preparations are already going on for rebuilding. v The cause of the fire is now said to have beeira foul chimney. Both the fire brigades and the populace worked gallantly, and several people were slightly injured by the falling of burning timbers. An inquiry will be held shortly. •^lndependent.