FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 40

FIRES.

AUCKLAND, December 24. A fire occurred early this morning in. Smeeton's shop in Queen street, doing damage to the extent of several thousand pounds. A largo stock of groceries was more or less damaged. The lire, which originated in tho electric lift well, burned through four floors, portion of each of which collapsed. Although the fire was confined to one section of tho building, the whole stock, which was valued at £28.000, was more or less damaged by water or smoke. The insurances are not known, but it is understood that the stock was covered in 10 companies. WELLINGTON, December 19. A fire broke out this evening in the tailors' workshop at the Terrace Gaol. Tho room, about 60ft by 20ft, occupied the upper floor of the building, the ground portion of which was. used as general storerooms. The flames had a good hold when observed. Tho tailors' shop was completely gutted, but the storerooms were not damaged by fire, though completely soaked by water. As there was no one in the premises after 5 o'clock, she origin of the fire is. unknown. No estimate is available yet as to the damage done. December 20. Fire did serious damage to the establishment of A. Lindsay (Ltd.), boot manufacturers, on Lambton quay, this morning. Insurances: On the building (owned by Mr Alfred Lindsay), £4OOO in the Norwich Union; on the stock, belonging to Lindsay (Ltd.), £6400 in the Norwich Union, £IOOO in the Sun. and £SOO in the Victoria; Fairchild, dentist, stock £760, in the Liverpool, London, and Globe. Mr Levin, who is carrying on Mr Fairchild's practice, had hia own stock insured in the South British for £2OO. A. Patterson, trading as M'Gregor, Wright, and Co., artists, is_ a heavy loser. He was not covered by insurance. December 24. A fire in a brick three-storey building off Herbert street, at midnight, gutted the top floor, occupied by Mr Drie (waterproof clot'ihio' manufacturer), nnd kidlv dammed the first- floor, occupied by Mr Israel Solomons, cloth'iig manufacturer. The ground floor, occupied by Mr Aubrey Gualt-..'-,- (nmlthoid roofim* manufacturer). was flooded, but apparently escaped damage by tire. The building is owned by Mr Edward Reeves. The fiv apparently started in tho top floor. The only insurances known at present are small amounts in tho Northern and Guardian offices on Ms Solomons' stock.