HEAVY LOSSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17471, 21 January 1931, Page 11

HEAVY LOSSES

GARRISON HALL FIRE MR. KERRIDGE SUFFERS MOST *•» V v w*>-•' The Garrison Hall fire has dealt Messrs. R. J\ Kerri dge and A. McKenzie, both of whom lost valuable private enterprises, a severe blow, the former estimating his loss at approximately £560. Mr. McKenzie, who conducted a confectionery and refreshment ‘cooth in the building, had no insurance on his property, which was valued at nearly £,300. Included in Mr. Kerridge’s losses was his own piano, which was used by the orchestra, and ohiv a few days before the fire he installed a panatrope, valued at £135, and two'dynamic loud'speakers, together with a large number of records. An attraction in the form of a chocolate competition, in which the competitor had to hole out in one on an individual green, was 1 provided only last week, and there was a good quantity of chocolates there at the time of the fire. Recently Mr. Kerridge added an additional six greens to the midget golf course, making the total 24. and with these iin|n ; t)vemeiifs further scenic paintings along the walls were provided. Over 120 golf shafts, together with a similar number of balls, also perished in tie flames. jrMr. Kerridge is expected to return to Gisborne at tire end of this week. Without insurance on his large stock of confectionery, soft drinks, and other items, including an up-to-date ice-cream cabinet, Mr. McKenzie is a heavy loser. He ordered fresh supplies to last lmn until the end. of the month, and these came forward on Monday, the day before the fire. Mr. McKenzie also was out of low'll when the outbreak occurred. It is almost certain that the .Defence Department will conduct'ait inquiry into the' cirdhrtistauces surrounding the fire, but no official intimation concerning! the date of the inquiry has been received, m Gisborne. v Losses were suffered by the Gistprne Boxing Association and the Poverty Baj Poultry, Pigeon, and Cage Bird Association, the latter losing the whole of its plant and equipment for show purposes. The plant, whigh was stored in the Garrison Hall at'the time of the fire, was valued at £250, and was insured for £135 in the Standard office. The Gisborne Boxing Association lost a comparatively new ring, boxing equipment, arid a handsome cup. The cup waS insured for £SO and the other equipment for £IOO in the Northern office. Viewed from Whareruta Hill, yestei - day morning’s blaze presented a> spectacle that will not easily bo forgotten by those who saw it. *Ofte passenger who was returning from Napier by service bar saw the reflection when in’the vicinity of Muriwai, and from there it appeared as though half the town' of Gisborne was burning. The hills stood out' quite plainly in the distant, and seen at closer range the buildings in the residential and business arch's' Were brightly illuminated by the reflection from the flames.'