DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 10

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

OCCUPANT'S NARROW ESCAPE

STORE AND BILLIARD ROOM.

FLAMES MAKE CLEAN SWEEP*

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] KAWHIA. Sunday. Soon after three o'clock this morning a large two-storeyed building owned and occupied by Mr. Rex Ncsbit was totally destroyed by fire. Mr. Ncsbit, the only occupant at the time, was sleeping upstairs. He was aroused by the intense heat of his bedroom. Opening the door he found the stairway in flames. Seizing a suitcase containing money and a few articles of clothing he escaped by means of the window, making his way from the verandah to the ground. The premises were used as a store and billiard saloon. They were soon a seething mass of flames. They were situated in the main street of Kawhia, directly opposite the Bank of New Zealand and Hotel Tainui, which were threatened owing to a light easterly wind. A large crowd collected in response to Mr. Nesbit's cries for help, and everything was done to save the adjacent buildings, which included Mr. J. P. Robinson's motor garage. Several cars were quickly removed and a bucket brigade was organised. Fortunately the wind veered to the north with approaching daylight, removing anxiety regarding the bank and the boarding-lionse.

Telegraph -posts in the vicinity continued to burn for some time, but finally they were extinguished. Nothing now remains but a chimney stack and smouldering ruins. Mr. Nesbit was extremely fortunate to escape with his life. He is a heavy loser financially. It is understood that the building and contents were insured for £I3OO, comprising building £650, stock £350, and three billiard tables for £IOO each.

The telephone service was disorganised as the result of fused wires. Twenty subscribers were involved. A party of linesmen is expected to-morrow to effect repairs.

MATIERE TOWN HALL.

POST OFFICE SAVED

[by telegraph.— rr.Ess association*.] TAUMARUNUI, Saturday.

The Matiere Town Hall was destroyed by fire early this morning. Difficulties were experienced in saving the adjoining post office. The cause of the fire is a mystery. The hall was insured for £2OO in the State Office, and the cinema plant and engine for £250 in the Victoria Office. A handsome roll of honour, erected by the subscriptions of the people of the district, was lost.

A children's fancy dress ball was held in the hall last evening.

DWELLING BURNED.

LACK OF WATER SUPPLY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday

A six-roomed house in Ngamotu Road, New Plymouth, owned by Mr. G. B. Tyler, and occupied by Mr. P. G. Budd, was destroyed by fire in the absence of the occupants. The fire brigade, although nob obliged to turn out to fires outside the borough, attended, but was unable to do anything owing to lack of water. The flames had a strong hold when the brigade arrived, and there was no indication as to where or how the fire had started. Part of the contents of a shed near the house were saved, and an attempt was made to save the shed, but it was burned to the ground also. The insurance on the house was £3OO in the Southern Union Office. The furniture was insured for a similar amount.