FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3763, 27 April 1926, Page 57

FIRES.

DRILL HALL DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, April 21. Fire destroyed the Drill Hall at Geraldine early this morning. It was originally used as the Town Hall, and was later handed over to the Defence Department. The structure was valued at approximately £3OOO. The origin of the outbreak is a mystery, but incendiarism is suspected.

FIRE ON RESERVE. TIMARU, April 21. About five acres of young trees and scrub were burned in the Day’s Bay Reserve, but after a stiff fight a band cf workers prevented the fire from reaching the more valuable part of the native bush. The park belongs to the city.

FOURTEEN MOTORS DESTROYED. GREYMOUTH, April 21 A later investigation shows that 14 motoi vehicles were lost in thb fire in Messrs Scbaif's garage yesterday morning, including three belonging to Schaif Bros., along with three chassis. Schaif Broa.’s loss was £llOO, their insurances totalling £7OO. The owners of the o‘her cars lost are: Messrs Joseph M'Cabe, of Cobden; F. Higgius, of Cobden; Davis, of Blackball; A. J. MTnroe, of Ikamatua; John Houlahan, ot Greymouth; Woods, of Westport; S. South am, of Greymouth; and General Motors jAd.), of Greymouth. The insurances on these cars are not yet available.

DWELLING-HOUSE DESTROYED. BLENHEIM, April 22. A five-roomed dwelling at Wakamarino, owned by Messrs Ward, Taylor, and Co., was destroyed by fire to-day. It was occupied by Frank Pope, whose furniture and effects were saved by the sawmill hands. The building was insured for £3OO in the Eagle, Star, and British Dominions Offices. MOTOR CAR DESTROYED. GORE, April 22. Mr W. P. Hailes, of Balfour, was driving home by car last night, when the rear tyre blew out and the application of the brakes caused the car to capsize. The six passengers scrambled out. and immediately afterwards there was an explosion and the car, a Chrysler Six, caught fire and was reduced to ashes. All the occupants escaped uninjured. GRAND STAND DESTROYED. ROTORUA. April 23. A fire at 3 o’clock this morning totally destroyed the Rotorua Racing Club’s second grandstand building. It contained a stora of baled hay, and it is assumed that the cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion. The structure had an his tone interest in connection with the Prinee of Wales’s visit. The loss will probably be £IOOO ver the insurance.