DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13285, 18 September 1906, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

HOTEL AND HALL BURNED AT

KARANGAHAKE.

DEFECTIVE FIRE BRIGADE GEAR.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Paeroa, A fire, which occurred at. Karangahake about half-past ■ nine o'clock last night, totally destroyed the Tramway Hotel and the hall and billiard-room next to it. The fire started in the hotel, and as there was nobody about at the time it had a good hold before it was discovered. When the tiro brigade arrived there was some delay in getting the water, and when the water was available the efforts of the brigade were useless, as the hose was perished and burst in several places. The fire burned so fiercely that practically nothing was saved from the hotel. The hall' and billiardroom, which were alongside, soon caught fire, and were also soon completely destroyed. Had the fire brigade's gear been in good order the billiard-room and hotel would probably have been saved. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it started somewhere at the back of the hotel and near the pantry. The buildings were owned by Mrs. W. Montgomery, sen., and were leased to Mr. P. Crosby, the licensee of the hotel. The hotel building was insured for £1200 in the New Zealand Company, £300 being retained, and the balance reinsured. The stock, furniture, billiard tables, and pianos were insured for £850 in tho name of Mrs. K. Crosby, £150 being held by the New Zealand Company, and the remainder reinsured. The hall was also insured in the New Zealand Office for £250, of which £75 was retained by the company, and the remainder reinsured. HOTEL AND TWO SHOPS BURNED AT : WAIT [by TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] , Nr.w Plymouth, Monday. Early this morning a destructive fire occurred at Waitara, totally destroying the Waitara Hotel. Mr. Dugdale's furniture establishment, and Mir.- Sampson's stationery shop and billiard rooms. A housemaid was awakened by a crackling noise in the hotel, and the fire was located in the diningrootn. No water being available the place was soon enveloped in flames. By pulling down the intervening buildings and dynamiting the burning portion, several premises, including the 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 £1800 for the lease. The building was owned by Mr. D. Leslie, of Auckland, a.nd insured in the joint names of the owner and the Waitara Harbour Board for £900, in the Sun office. The furniture and stock were insured for £550 in the Sun, and £250 in the Commercial Union. Captain Young estimates his loss at £800, including £450 personal effects, uninsured, and the boarders are also considerable losers, escaping in their night clothes. Mr. Dugdale's stock was insured for £250 in the Sun, and the building for £100 in the South British. He estimates his loss at £250. Mr. Sampson's building had a cover of £200 in the South British, and the billiard table £100 in the South British. The stock was uninsured, and he estimates his loss in stock at £200. The origin of the outbreak is a mystery.