FIRES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4315, 26 March 1901, Page 7

FIRES.

■ DESTRUCTION ,OF A DRILLSHED. PEESi ASSOCIATION. WAIPAAVA, March 25. The grandstand, secretary’s office, loose-boxes and sheds of the Waipawa Racing Club were, totally destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The origin of tho lire is a mystery. The insurance was £650 in the Alliance office. AUCKLAND, March 25. The Auckland Drillshed was destroyed by fire at 5 o’clock this morning. Later. The origin of tho fire is unknown. The caretaker and his family had a narrow escape. The whole of the interior of the shed was burnt out, and most of the volunteer companies’ orderly loams were gutted. Several companies, notably the Auckland Naval Volunteers, lost heavily in arms, accoutrements, uniforms, and furniture. Several of the A Battery’s 9-pounders were damaged. A quantity of ammunition stored in the companies’ rooms exploded. Many volunteers lose personal property in addition to tho Government property and companies’ equipment destroyed. The loss cf the drillshed itself is not regretted, as it was very old, having been first in use at the time of the Maori wars in the ‘‘sixties.” There were no insurances on the building or its contents. A small grocery store at Ohau, the property of Messrs Geary and Bassett, was destroyed by five on Sunday morning. The steek was insured in the Commercial Union office for £IOO.