EARLY MORNING FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16936, 23 August 1918, Page 4

EARLY MORNING FIRE.

PAEROA THEATRE GUTTED.

OTHER PREMISES DESTROYED. [bt telegraph.—own correspondent.] .. ■ . PAEROA, Thursday. Another large fire broke out in the main street at three o'clock this morning, completely gutting the Criterion Theatre, Mr. W. Campbell's fruit shop, the Haufaki Land Agency, - and an empty shop. The outbreak started in the Criterion Theatre. A social tendered to returned soldiers had been held in the theatre last night, concluding about an hour before the fire occurred. The flames had a good hold before the alarm was given,', but the brigade's good work stopped the fire from spreading to the remainder of the block. ' All the buildings involved in the fire were owned by Mr. A. Cassrells. The theatre was insured for £2150," the sura being distributed among the following offices in the following proportions:— Ocean, £500; Australian Alliance, £200; Yorkshire, £250; New • Zealand, £600; National. £400; Standard,; £150. The furniture, scenery, .' piano, < dynamo, stage, etc., were insured for £765 in the New Zealand Office., The Hauraki Land Agency'? office fittings were insured for £65 •in .the Victoria Office. Mr. Campbell's fruit store was not insured, the estimated loss being ; -£3OO/. Mr. -M. Harris's jeweller's shop was. slightly damaged. The office of Mr. T. A. Moresby, solicitor, , was .slightly, damaged.. The - insurance on the Land Agency and -Moresby's premises was £500 in the Standard Office. ... ' •

• The Criterion Theatre) was leased .. to Mr. H. .Woods, picture proprietor, and his operator, Mr. P. Jennings, -had £50 insurance' on his tools.