FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 58

FIRES.

• MARTON, January' ,L, Another fire occurred at- Marton early this morning, completely destroying the Junction Boarding-house,- a fine two storeyed building erected" last year and openedfor; business about four months ago. The building ' contained about 30 rooms, which. ' were fully occupied afe the time of the outbreak. A strong wind was blowing, and, the building was swept away , in less than;' 30 jninutes. , The occupants had a miraculous escape, and neither clothing nor household contents were saved. The building was owned by J. M'Hardie, who is a heavy loser. The insurances are not known.

PALMERSTON N., January 1. ',- The Ranfurly Boarding-house' in Main street, Foxton, was observed to be on fire. Mra Smith, keeper of the boarding-house, locked the place up and left it a few minutes before. The house ivas a twostorey and 12-roomed building, insured for £400. and the furniture for £200. Is Foxton has neither a fire brigade nor water eupply the building was totally destroyed.

NAPIER, January 2. A six-roomed dwelling on the Hyderabad; road, owned "by Williams and Kettle, and occupied by George Lovegrove, .vas gutted by fire this morning. The children, - who were sleeping upstairs, were rescued .71th some difficulty. The furniture was in-" sured for £100 in the Northern, office, and the building was _ also covered, but the amount is not available. >

WELLINGTON. January 2. '' i A shop and dwelling at Roseneath were burned down this morning. ' There was an, insurance of £250 on>the contents ;n; n the Alliance office. . *- „ WAIMATB, -January 6. A fire early this morning destroyed two small shops', with dwellings, opposite the County Chambers. One shop was occupied by Mr Woofinden, a fishmonger, and the other by the Singer sewing machine agent. The fire originated in. the house of Mr Woofinden. The latter's furniture was insured for £120. The buildinsr. owned by Mr J. Hunt, was insured 'or £200, both in the Union office. Another fire broke out in Shearman street this afternoon, but only in an outhouse, and ' the brigade put the out before much damage was done. This was the first time the new highpressure water supply was used at a fire, and the test showed its effectiveness. INVERCARGILL. January 2. A fire occurred about 11 o'clock last night in a block of buildings in Dee street, occupied by Neil (herbalist), Phillips (photographer), - and Bacon (umbrella maker). It started in Philhps's, and! though the brigade quickly sot it under the studio was gutted. Phillips's stock was insured for £250, but he estimates hia, loss at £110 .above this. 'Bacon's stock was damaged by water. Neil escaped! almost scathless. The building was on© of the few wooden ones left m the brick area. The fire is ascribed to the ashes from a fire in Phillips'a living room having been blown out of the grate while Ho. was out by the gale which prevailed.