FIRES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 6

FIRES

BIG BLAZE AT MATAURA. FIVE SHOPS BURNT. PEEOS ASSOCIATION. MATAURA, April 6. A disastrous fire occurred at Mataura at 2 o’clock this morning. It was discovered in tho hardware premises of J. and J. Galt, in the centre of the town, and spread to the shops of Alex. Galt (butcher), Welham Bros, (bakers), and Watson (tinsmith), on the one side, and on the other to a small building occupied by Mr McKay, dentist, and Dr Hay, where it was stopped by a brick wall. The premises and nearly all the contents were destroyed. The stocks of Domigan (chemist), Greenwood (stationer). Hardy (tobacconist), Adams (cyclist), Smith and Jeffrey (watchmakers), and the Southland Drapery Company wore removed in safety, but the spread of the fire was stopped through tho exertions of a bucket brigade. Tho insurances, according to details si .far available, are;—J. and J. Galt, £2OO on tho premises and £IOOO on stock, in the North British;. Alex. Galt, cm plant £IOO, in the Victoria; Welham Bros., stock and plant £IOO in the South British and £IOO in the Victoria office.

The fire brigade had a busy time last night. At 5.22 an alarm was received from Wellington terrace, where a chimney was on fire at No.- 187, in a house occupied by Mrs Smith. At 7.56 the brigade was turned out by a false alarm to Cuba street, sparks from the chimney of Linley’s workshop having caused someone to think that a, fire had broken out. At 8.33 word was received that a tarshed at South Kilhiniie. the property of Mr Bnsson. had been destroyed. At 8.37 another chimney on fire, in the residence of Mrs Taylor, 2-1, College street, led to another alarm.