SERIOUS FIRE AT PALMERSTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 18

SERIOUS FIRE AT PALMERSTON.

(Fbosi Our Own Correspondent.)

PALMERSTON, February 28. A fire broke out in the Arcade block this afternoon at 3 o'clock.

The following buildings were burnt down : — Pearson, confectioner, where the fire originated ; Law^n, photographer ;" Gwynne, stationer ; Findlay, solicitor's office, and M'Ritchie, dressmaker. The insurances are not available at present. Th& loss is estimated at from £5000 to £6000.

Our Palmerston correspondent writes: — > As I wired you on Wednesday, a serious fire occurred here on that afternoon in the Arcade block, whereby the buildings of Messrs Lawson (photographer), Pearson (baker), and Ghvynue (stationer), together with the stock, were completely burnt down, whilst the premises of Mr JFfndlay (solicitor) and Mrs M'Ritchie (milliner) were also gutted. The latter's stock was badly damaged by removal. Oswald's (bootmaker) stock Was also damaged from the same cause. The fire originated in Pearson's bakery. Being the usual half-holiday, no one was in at the time.Mr Pearson was away at the stable in Tiverton street, and therefore cannot -account foil the fire. When he arrived the place was all ablaze, and, being a wooden building, was soon destroyed. The flames quickly cornmunieated with Mr Lawson's (a wooden building) on' the one side, and Mr Gwynne's (wood and concrete) on the other, and both premises werei soon destroyed. Mrs M'Ritchie's buildinej was saved from destruction, being of brick with a high parapet. Mr Findlay's office was also brick, btit the flames got under the roof, and no water being- available, nothing cotildl be done but try and save as much as j)ossible by the number of willing hands on the spot.' Fortunately, there was not much wind at the time, and what was blowing was from-tha east, otherwise nothing could have saved the Empire Hotel. As far as at present known, the insurances and loss are as follows : — Mi* Pearson — £200 on stock ; estimated loss £100. Furniture and effects, valued at" £150, uninsured ; nothing saved except a harmonium' valued at £20. Mr Gwynne's building was insured for £125 and the stock for £300, both in the Standard office ; the estimated loss is £200. Mr Findlay's effects were insured for £150 in the National office ; nearly all were saved. The buildings, with the exception of Mr Gwynne's and j\Jr Lawson's, belonged to Mr Arkle, who is away iff the North Island, v.hile Mr Lawsott is at the Hanrncr Springs, so that particulars are not available. Neither arc particulars of Mrs M'Ritchie's or Oswald's loss. The present fire slioiild prove „111 incentive to the Borough Council to push on with the water supply. The lO3S bya fire of some two hours* duration should more than pay the cost ot bringing water into the town. Had it been available there is liltio doubt but that the fire might have been confined lo Pearson's shop and bakery. i

A qualified lady chemist — the first in the colony, it is understood, to go into active business practice — Is about to open a shop in Wellington. The lady in question (Mrs M'Kenzie) passed her examination in June la sl: - , „ „ • Eiiiel E. T'ek.tuiix, Barrister and Solicitor, Albeit Bmlcliiiss, Princes street, Dunediu (oircsito C.P.0.), has trust moneys to. len^ 04 ajy?rovecl security.— AdyJi