FIRES IN THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13726, 16 April 1908, Page 5

FIRES IN THE SOUTH.

ANOTHER BLAZE AT MATAURA? THREE SHOPS DESTROYED. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Gore, Wednesday. A kirk occurred at Mataur» this morning, by which threes business places in Bridgestreet, opposite to those destroyed last week, were demolished. The outbreak started in the back of Thome's (bootmaker) shop, which had been occupied as a dwelling, but was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and spread to T. F. Quarter's fruit and confectionery store. These places were destroyed, but Quarter's cordial factory, at the rear, was saved. C. Downcs' (blacksmith and implement) shop, next door, was burnt. This contained a considerable amount of machinkry, owned by J. Lowden, sen. The premises were leased by Mr. Dowries. The fire is supposed to have arisen through a defective chimney.

The insurances are as follows: —J. Lowden, sen., machinery and plant, £150 in the Royal office ;' buildings, £200 in the Royal office; loss above insurance, £300. Downes (stock) £100 in the United office ; loss above insurance, £60. Qualter, (stock), £100 in South British office: loss above insurance, £70. Thome, no insurance; loss £100. T. and J. Macgibbon, buildings, £150 in the National office; loss above insurance, £150.

HOUSE- DESTROYED AT WAIKIWI. j [BIT TELEGRAPH. — PRESS association.] I.vvf.kcargii.l, Wednesday. A five-roomed house, occupied by Mr. Thomas Hunt and family, at Waikiwi, was burned down this evening. The children were alone in the house, and one of them, while looking with a candle for a plaything, set fire to a sofa. The children got out just in time. OUTBREAK AT MASTERTON. [by telegraph.—PßESS ASSOCIATION.] MaSTKBTON, Wednesday. An unoccupied dwelling owned by J. Tait was destroyed by fire last night. The building was insured for £300 in the United Office, and the furniture for £75 in the North British Company. .Mis. McBride, the tenant, was absent at Masterton". FIRE AT OAMARU. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Oa:iaku, Wednesday. A fire was discovered in the lower storey of Messrs. A. and D. Simpson's furniture warehouse this evening, which was extinguished only after the place had been Hooded with water. The fire started amongst some tlax and spread to other inflammable material. " The insurances! are £150 in the South. British Company, and £750 in the Royal Assurance Office. The stock was not much damaged, but the extent of the loss cannot be ascertained till after an overhaul.