FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15032, 4 January 1911, Page 5

FIRES.

(Per United Press Association.)

HOKITIKA, January 3. . The residence of Mr J. A. Murdoch, Mayor of Kumara, was destroyed on Saturday afternoon. The fire was caused by a spark from blackberry bushes being burnt near by. The place was gutted, but portion of the furniture, including a piano, was saved. The insurances are not available.

A seven-roomed farmhouse, owned and occupied by Mi- T. S. Beeves, was destroyed by fire at Kaitangata between 3 and 4 o'clock yesterday morning. The house, which is" situated on the river bank about a mile nouth of Kaitangata, was totally destroyed, only a few articles of furniture being saved. The fire is supposed to have started in the kitchen, where n fire had been banked up, and it burned so quickly that the occupants had to make a hurried exit. The house was insured for £150, the furniture for £200, and the piano for £50, all the policies being in the State Fire Office. -Mr Reeves estimates his. Jsss at £150, as lio valued the property at £550,