SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7024, 12 January 1910, Page 6

SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN

NEW ZEALAND EXPRESS COMPANY’S PREMISES GUTTED. OTHER BUILDINGS DAMAGED. PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, January 11. A three-story brick occupied by the New Zealand Express Company, facing Wain's Hotel, Manse street, was burned to the ground early this morning. Tho Princess Theatre had a narrow escape, tho wind fortunately dying away. The fire was discovered at hair-past 3, and was apparently then confined to the second story at the end of the building, adjoining Mr R. Dickison’s restaurant, though it had a good hold "hen th© brigade arrived. The whole of the left portion of tho building was enveloped in flames, and, as a fairly strong nor’-wester was blowing, fears were felt for the safety of the whole block extending to the corner of Stafford street. The roof ,of Dickison’s restaurant caught fire on several occasions, and three bedrooms were reduced to ruins. Luckily tho wind died down, and the fire in its later stages was confined within tho four walls of the Express Company’s budding itself. Sparks ignited a number of crates containing -empty bottles, _ stored by Messrs Powley and Koast, in a section in Stafford street, adjoining their bottling stores, and damage was dono to the extent of £SOO. Mr Thomas Brown, tiro owner of the promises tenanted by the Express Company, had a policy for £2500 with the New Zealand Insurance Company, and £IOO on fittings in the same office. Howison who leased part of the ground floor, was insured for £llOO in tho Royal Office, while Eairbairn, a manufacturer's agent, had a policy of £l3O on his goods in tho Royal. Diokison, owner of the dining-rooms damaged, estimates his loss at £2OOO. Foster, representing Roberts, Ltd., had insurances amounting to £7OO in the Alliance and £BOO in the Commercial Union. Four travellers who used the premises for stocking, and lost their samples, estimate their joint loss at £3OOO. They are Steele, representing Dawson and Maudsley, of Wellington ; Gatson, who has a number of Home agencies; and Fothergill and S. Martin. Tire total damage exceeds £IO,OOO. Ross and Glendining’s hat factory, in ,Stafford street, was damaged to the extent of £SOO, but was covered by insurance. Tho total insurances are approxi-, mately £7OOO. Mr Fred R. Pa.tston, who represents t!io firms of Thomas De la Rue and Co., London, Mansell, Hunt, Oalty .and Co., London, and Williams, Ltd., THirmingiiani and London, is one of tiro '(heaviest losers. He had just oommencjed his New Zealand round and his 'goods wore stored in the Express Company’s sample rooms. Tho whole of 'those, together with hra own personal effects (including a large sura _of money) were lost. In connection with Williams, Ltd., he Mbd large and comprehensive samples of sterling silver, .and the loss he estimates 'at over £I2OO. Leather goods which were the property of Do la Rue and Co. were iValucd at £2OO. Mansell, Hunt, Oalty and Co.’s goods were merely travclllors’ samples of no great commercial value, but of inestimable worth from the traveller’s point of' view. Apart itfrom the loss in actual value of goods firms concerned lose also from the fact that as no samples are available they will have to discontinue the New Zealand round. It is understood that some of the goods are partially insured. •Mr Dickison, proprietor of the Central Dining-rooms, estimates his direct loss at £2OOO, .but to this must bo added a large unstated sum for stoppage of a going concern. There were forty boarders staying at the restaurant. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The New Zealand Express Company exercise every care in oormeotion with goods entrusted to them for storage or transit. In all their offices the best and most up-to-date fireproof safes are installed, and all valuables are carefully stowed away in them. Live businesses are run by live men, and "‘hen men use 1 Clrubbs’ fire-resisting safes and strong-room doors, it is a sign that their business is in perfect order. Ohubbs’ safes are synonymous • with safety, tho watchword of the business man. In the new building lately erected by the Express Company, the whole of the strong-room doors and safes are Chubbs’. Ask James Dykes, ,of Gualter, Dykes and Co., Featherston street, attorney for Chubbs' Australian Company, limited.—Advt.