FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 39

FIRES.

HAMILTON, December 23. Early on Tuesday morning lire broka out near the Government sanatorium buildings. completely destroying the stables and the harness and feed rooms. Tho horses were not in the stable when thq outbreak occurred- The damage is estimated at ' £9OO. The origin of the fire is a mystery. _ , ; GISBORNE, December 23. i A destructive fire occurred in Gladstone 1 road this afternoon. The outbreak started at the rear of Mr C. Taylor’s furniture factory in a shed used as a storeroom for teazed flax and a buggy shed and stable. Tiie flames quickly spread to a stack of seasoned timber, thence to the machinery room of the factory, which was gutted. The valuable machinery was not destroyed, but may be damaged by the extreme heat from the burning building. A large supply of seasoned timber, the best stock in Gisborne, was destroyed. A horse in the ’ stable* was badly burnt before it was removed, and had to be shot. Mr Taylor is absent in Auckland. The building was owned by Mr W. H. Clayton. The total | insurances are believed to total £IBOO, in the Atlas office, but they arc unascertain.I able owing to the office being closed and the local agent being away. i The Southland Times states that a fire broke out at 1.30 a.m. .on Dec. 27 at Otautau, in a stable owned by Mr Richard Ford, and occupied by Mr White. The ! stable, which contained six stalls and fiv© 1 loose, boxes,' and an iron shed occupied by i Messrs Robertson Bios., storekeepers, were I totally destroyed. Tho stable was insured : for £SO and the iron building for £4O. I There was over £IOO worth of goods in tho shed also a considerable quantity of liquor, which were not insured. Messrs Robertsons’ loss i» estimated at about £l5O, and Mr White’s at about £BO. The Town Board’s fir© engine was early on the scene, and with the help of a large band of volunteer* the fire was prevented from spreading to the adjoining buildings. The fir© is reported to hav© started in tho stable loft, and it may be mentioned that quit© recently another stable belonging to Mr White, and situated near the scene o f th« latest blaze, was also destroyed by fire.