A FIRE IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, -December 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 13

A FIRE IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, -December 28.

Th© Massey-Harris-pr,emises, a $wo-storey' building in liambton quay^'^were totally, destroyed' by to-night. A gal^ of wind ■fronj-the south ianned' the 'flames and niade a brilliant conflagration. : Notwithstanding th« cold, driving r^in -thousands . of people • assembled to witness the scene. \ The Fire Brigade worked splendidly and nobly. Six men gained a -position on top of a verandah ' ana stood their ground in face of, the 'fierce - beat and in epite 'of' falling timbers anddense columns of smoke-. So brayedy^did they work that the crowd chee-red- them. The building' destroyed was .- formerly the old St. George's Hafl," which was for many years a leading place of amusement in the city — first as theatre, afterwards as a skating rink. . Later on it was leased by Kirkcaldie and Stains, the well-known drapers, who have been . lessees of it ever since. Part of tha building has been used by them foifethe manufacture of bedding, and the fr,ont> part on the, ground floor was sublet to the Canada Cycle and Motor Company, who .have carried on a bicvele business there for .a considerable peoiod." Another part of, the building was leased by two lodges of Foresters, and "pne -of these", the Court Sir George Grey, has lost a valuable banner imported from 'England some years ago.

WELLINGTON,, December 28. , A fire broke out to-night in a two-storey. wooden building on Lambton quay -leased by Kirkcaldie and Stains, who occupied part as a bedding manufactory. The Canadian Cycle Company occupied part of the building as ■ a show, room .and^ workshop*- -~ A 'Foresters' lodge had ,aane'e.ting roomjat^thV rear of .'the building. Mo.st of the contents* were- destroyed.' Th.c -Courts Sir G&orge Grey, A.O.FiV'lost a valuableiSjariner. About' 200

Massey-Harris bicycles were destroyed, am. only about 20 were saved. The building was owned by the Foresters. Th© insurances are: — On the building, £1000, in the Commercial office; on the Canadian Cycle Company's -stock— £2soo in the Alliance, £1000 in the Now Zealand, £500 in the Commercial Union offices.

ttHMMAI-ligwy"