FIRE AT FOXTON

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7826, 28 September 1903, Page 3

FIRE AT FOXTON

Nine Shops Burned.

Luckily No Wind.

(Own Correspondent.)

~.A great conflagration took .'place in the main street on Saturday morning. About 3...0'c10ck Mr Wanklyn,, who resides ,at the , back of the building known as McMillan,, Rhodes and Co.'s store, noticed the glare of the fire, which apparently emanated from the back of T. W^eßtwobd's store.

' Mr Wanklyri at once proceeded to warn the public by" ringing the firebell, which,-by"the way*was quite as effective as a cowbell, considerable difficulty being found in gaining access over the fence. The firebell has been bo placed that the greatest amount of difficulty ia experienced in making use of it. ■ The following is a. list of the buildings destroyed: —T. ' Westwodd's Beehive Store (insurance' on stock J68OO) ; G-. H. Stiles, draper and milliner fstock JB1800) ; 8.-Noonan, painter and decorator (stock £100, part stock saved, loss through insufficient insurance £100): G. Spring, grocer (stock saved); E. Ball, hairdresser and tobacconist (insurance not known); H. Bradcock, hairdresser and tobacconist (stock saved); L. E. Keade, solicitor (books, papers and furniture saved); Mrs Mackie, stationer, etc. (stock saved); M. Ferreau, bakehouse (no. insurance). /...;"• The buildings were owned by Mr E. S. Thynnfc, with the exception of those occupied by Mrs Mackie and Mr Keade, which were owned by Messrs Austin Bros. The former owner was partly Insured,; but it is not known whether is »ny insurance oil: the latter's-buildings. The Borough Council; had just appointed MifJR: Noon an. as fire inspector at a salary'of '.£lo. per annum, so that ,a<s constituted the fire brigade for tbo borough, and proved himself equal to the occasion,, In order to prevent the further spread "of the fire the building occupied by Bradcook adjoining McMilla'h and Ehodes, old store was pulled down, and this had the desired effect.

Fortunately there was little or no wind, otherwise it is probable Whyte's Hotel would have suffered, as considerable difficulty was experienced in preventing the stables at the back of the hotel catching firo. Mr G. H. Stiles is removing into McMillan and Rhodes' old store, and expects a new stock in next week. As shops and buildings were at a groat premium before the fire, matters are now much worse. The other losers are not so lucky in finding places to recommence business.

Mr j; Vile, M.H.R., telegraphed to the' Mayor, Mr T. Westwood. sympathising with those who have sustained loss through the fire.