DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 597, 1 April 1878, Page 2

DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

<t> (VEll I'P.ESS ACiENCY.) Wellington, iMaroh 30. From a return, prepared by order of the Government, showing the loss of Government property occasioned by fires during the last ten years, also the sums paid for_ insurance dining that period, with a view to ascertaining whether or not it would be advisable to insure all Government buildings, it appears that the total loss sustained by the Government through lire during the last ten years amounted to L 44.360. The heaviest item was the Custom House and Post Ollice at Auckland, estimated at a loss of L2->,OOO. The smallest was the Wellington Railway Station, burned about two months ago, which was valued at L3OO. The other items are-.—Auckland Lunatic Asylum, L 16,500 ; Government Buildings, Pioton, LISOO ; Government Buildings, Blenheim, 1.3200; of which L 2500 was insured, leaving an actual loss of L7OO. The amount of insurance paid during the ten years has been L6IOO. It is stated that the Government consider it is advjsahlo partly to insure the larger and more valuable buildings to the extent of about half the value, Government taking half risk. In the case of smaller buildings, it is found it is not profitable to insure. The report says it is better to take the risk of small losses. The Government Buildings at Wellington are insured for L 25.000. V