THER PALMERSTON FIRM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 6

THER PALMERSTON FIRM.

«. . . Our Patmerslon correspondent writes as follows:—"Tho origin of the fire which occurred on Saturday morning, and which resulted in two shops being gutted, is shrouded in mystery, but incendiarism is strongly suspected. Sir Sydney Beck, in whose shop the fire started, bad been away at Green Valley all the week, and no person had been in the shop. Whilst Mr Clements, whose shop was next door, when leaving on Friday night, left everything perfectly safe. There had been no fire in either of the places for some time. Mr Beck's shop was owned by Mr B. Johnston, of Roslyn, and was insured, (Tut the office and amount are nnko'iwn. Mr Beck's stock was insured in the Standard office for £150. The shops occupied by Mrs Clements and Messrs Cray and Co. (butchers) were owned by the former, her stock being insured in tho Victoria offic" for £200. and her buildings in the Norwich Union office for £900. The Bank of New Zealand outbuilding, which was damaged to the extent of £20. was insured in the New Zealand office for £30. The fire was the first attended by the fire brigade, and manfully did Captain Stewart and bis men do their work, aided by a splendid pressure of water from the town supply, which enabled two leads of water to be brought to bear on the five."