DESTROYED BY FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23109, 8 February 1937, Page 10

DESTROYED BY FIRE

FRUIT PRESERVING FACTORY

LOSS OF VALUABLE PLANT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON,- Feb. 7. The fruit preserving factory of Messrs Thompson and Hills at Motueka was totally destroyed by fire last night, the loss amounting to several thousands of pounds. The operations of the factory consisted of jam making, pulping, canning, and evaporating fruit. It was the only factory in New Zealand where apples were evaporated. If this portion of the building is not speedily restored the district will have to find a fresh market for thousands of cases of apples. A number of expensive machines in the canning department were damaged beyond repair. Indeed, the only part of the plant which appeared to have escaped destruction was the boiler. At the height of the fire and for many hours afterwards there were continual explosions, and tins of fruit were hurled into the air.