WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20791, 6 February 1931, Page 12

WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

AUCKLAND VICTIMS.

GREAT FIRE RAGING.

BRIGADE POWERLESS.

LARGE STOCK OF MEAT.

WHOLE PLANT THREATENED.

[by telegraph.—press association.] GISBORNE. Thursday.

At eleven o'clock to-night a telephone message was received in Gisborne that the Wairoa freezing ■works were on fire. The outbreak started at ten o'clock and an hour later flames were rising a hundred feet in the air.

The fire was discovered by an engineer on watch at the south end of the building.

The fire brigade was. rushed to tho scene, but as the power' had been lost there was no means of pumping water and its efforts were of little avail.

There are 35,000 carcases in the build' ing.

At 11.15 all the wooden portion of the structure, including tho freezing chambers, was doomed. Flames were then menacing the brick section comprising the slaughterhouse, fellmongery and cool stores.

The freezing works at Wairoa were badly damaged in the earthquake on Tuesday. The stoppage of power jeopardised the carcases awaiting shipment and it was feared that they would go bad unless a boat arrived immediately.

EPSOM LADY KILLED TRAGIC HOLIDAY VISIT. FATE OF YOUNG NURSES. A well-known resident of Epsom, Mrs. Frances Mary Boyd, of Corbett-Scott Avenue, is anion# the victims of the oarthquake. At the time of the disaster she was on a holiday visit to her daughter, Mrs. R. McNiven, of Napier. Mrs. Boyd was born in Nelson in 1862 and spent her early years there. For 25 years she resided in Hawera, removing to Epsom in 1912. She was a prominent social worker and an active supporter of the Presbyterian Church, being a member of the choir of the Epsom Church for many years. Mrs. Boyd is survived by her husband, Mr. Joseph Boyd, a son, Mr. Sydney Boyd,, of Buckland, and three daughters, Mesdames R. McNiven and R. Campbell, of iTapier, and W. Hawkins, of Auckland. The late Mr. John England Leaning, who was killed in Hastings, was a prominent footwear importer of that town. He was about 50 years of age and for many year 3 resided in Islington Street, Ponsonby. He was a staunch Oddfellow, being a member of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, Auckland. Prior to taking up residence in Hastings about three years ago Mr. Leaning was in busi- . ness in Auckland. His wife was injured in the earthquake. Mr. Leaning is a cousin of Mr. Ernest Leaning, of Remuera. ' The late Nurse Nancy Thorne George, of the Napier Hospital staff, was a daughter of Mr. George Thorne George, manager of the Napier branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Limited. She was born in Auckland 22 years ago and had been a nurse for about four years. Prior to joining the staff of the Napier Hospital Miss Thorne George served for a period at the Wanganui and Wellington Hospitals. The late Sister Ruth Mitchell, one of the best-known nurses at the Napier Hospital, was over 50 years of age and was shortly due to retire on superannuation. She was trained at the Gisborne Hospital and was a cousin of Sister Rose Palmer, of Auckland. Other nurses who have lost their lives are Nurse Marjorie Insull, aged 22, a daughter of Mr. H. W. Insull, of New .Plymouth; Nurse Eileen Williams, aged 19; Nurse Kidell, aged 20, whose parents reside in the Wairarapa; Nurse Stone and Nurse Staines. Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Bartlett, who are reported to be dead, recently spent a holiday in Auckland, and returned to Hawke's Bay only a week ago. Mrs. Berry resided at 18, Wellesley Road, Napier, and Mrs. Bartlett at 33, Main Street, Napier.