FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14461, 2 March 1909, Page 5

FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

SERIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. 13 PREMISES DESTROYED. (Per United Press Association.) WHIJjINGTON, March 1. A mepsn-ge from Tailiapo states that a most destructive fire occurred this cvon-

A whole block in the main street, and Station street was totally destroyed, 13 business premises being gutted. The fire started in Messrs Whaler Eros.'' boot- shop, and spread rapidly right and left. I'ortunatcly it was ;t calm night. Tho names of the occupiers of the other premises destroyed wereM'Pherson, tailor; Niclinl, jeweller; Finch, stationer (double store); Labour Deputy's otlice; J. .P. Aldridge, insurance agent; llaufipo Tea Rooms; Whitcombe, dentist; Wong Ivi'p, fruiterer; Jones, painter; Hodgson, plumber; and Garner, seed merchant.

is iiot a stick of timber left. The police sergeant's residence and the shops opposite were saved onlv by the strenuous exertions of the crowd, which worked willingly. Tho lire brigade was just proceeding to the train to proceed to Auckland for demonstration, Imt it renuiinflil bphind, though its services were of little use. as there was no water available. The insurances as far as tliev can be at present ascertained are :-Ho'dsou, £300 in the Norwich Union office; Whaler, £250 in the Australian Alliance; M'Pher£250 in the Australian Alliance; Nichols, 300 in the Smith British; Garner (stock), £200; building, (owned bv Mr Gibbons) £100, both in the Commercial Union; Whitcombe (stock), £150 in the Commercial Union; Finch, £900 on ths stock (which was valued at £1500)) in the Sun, and on personal effects, £50 in the New Zealand (the loss over that is £150). Kllis and Darvillo, who had tiie largest business, had a policy in the Alliance otiice, but the amount is not kno'wn.

The progress of the fire was eventually stopped by pulling down the building itdjoiniijar the polico section.