MILL DESTROYED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 46, 23 January 1939, Page 10

MILL DESTROYED.

BLAZE IN NORTH. Per Press Association. WHANGAREI, Jan. 21. A dramatic fire wiped out the big-Gf-est timber mill north of AVhangarei last night, the mill at Tot.nra North operated by Lane Bros. The damage is estimated at £SOOO. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. At 11 o’clock a workman passing the mill saw no sign of fire; at 12.J0 it was a raging inferno. Three leads of hose were run out .and frantic efforts were made to save the outbuildings by a bucket brigade. The flames scorched the nenTbv hush, and if this had caught fire a residence would have been involved. One corner adjoining a hall ignited, hut the flames were kept under control. Two-thirds of the timber in the yard was saved, the remaining third, valued at £IOOO. being completely wiped out. The drying shed and offices were saved. Had a wind been blowing the fire would have swept throughout the yard and comoletely wiped out the settlement. 'Hie insurance on the mill building Is £ISOO and on the machinery £2150. The timber was uninsured.

Operations will recommence as soon as possible. The nroprietors give a definite assurance that rebuilding will be carried out. Thirty-six men were employed in the mill and thirty more in the bush. The mill had a capacity of three million feet annually. TOUCH OF COMEDY. FIREMEN IN FANCY DRESS.

Per Preas Association. HASTINGS. Jan. 22.

No stranger attire for a fireman combating a blaze could be imagined than that worn bv members of the Havelock North Fire Brigade when they answered an alarm on Saturday. Dressed as members of “the Darktown fire brigade.” they had lieen entertaining a crowd at a gala day held in HavelockNorth Domain when a genuine outbreak occurred at the home of Mr M. A. Caves at Havelock North. They were forced to abandon the festivities and. attired in tonpers. straw hats, striped trousers and equally humorous and nondescript attire, the blackfaced crew sued through the streets of HavelockNorth to the amusement and occasional consternation of passers-by. The outbreak was soon under control and the willing troupe returned to entertain the crowd none the worse for their extraordinary experience.