Riverton.

Southland Times, Issue 4630, 14 May 1883, Page 3

Riverton.

— <•> THE GREAT FIRE. (FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) About 1.30 a.m. on Friday morning fire was discovered to have broken out in the Btables attached to the Caledonian Hotel. A number of willing workers were soon upon the spot, but des-pite their most strenuous exertioas the fire gained complete mastery. The attention of the spectators was then turned to the hotel ; all the stock and furniture being removed with astonishing rapidity. It was soon found that the whole of the block was doomed. By this time the news had rapidly spread, and the streets were lined by some 200 or 300 persons, who rendered all the assistance in their power in removing all goods, &c, from the threatened buildings. An attempt was made to pall down one of the shops so as to stop the fire spreading southward, but without success. By 6 a.m. the whole block from Hayes hotel to Price and Bulleid's drapery store was completely destroyed. At one time it looked as if the buildings on «he opposite aide of the«treet would be included in the conflagration, but a copious supply of water, thrown by men stationed on the roof all the mornibg, kept the fire from spreading. The Commercial Hotel was also in great danger for some time, but a liberal supply of wet blankets saved it from sustaining any injury. The buildings burned are Hayes Caledonian Hotel, insured for £300 in the New Zealand office, and £150 in the Victoria ; estimated loss, £1200. Shop occupied by Mr Bacon, bootmaker, notbiDg insured. Two shops occupied by Mr Willett, insured, with stock for £600, in the Victoria. Shop occupied by Mr C. Campbell, butcher, insured for £125 in the Union. Shop occupied by Mr Scobie, draper, stock insured for £400 in the Union and £300 in the Royal. Globe Hotel, Mr Pattison, insured for £700 in tha Union and New Zealand on building, stock and furniture. This gentleman is a very heavy loser, three of the shops burned being owned by him, and unfortunately they were not insured, the policies having lapsed. The shop owned and occupied by Mr Hancock, also the boot factory at the back of the premises, insured for £600 in the Union. Price and Bullied, drapers, insared for £700 in the South British. A good deal o£ damage was also done to buildings on the opposite side of the street. McDonald's store was severely scorched, and a house in the occupation of Mr Gilmour caught fire, and the roof was taken off, besides other damage. The stores of Messrs Borne and Ireland, the Great Western Hotel, and McKillop's blacksmith's shop, were also in great danger. The origin of the fire is unknown: it was first discovered by a man named Burgess, who at oi.ce gave the alarm. A number of men were at work all Friday clearing away the debns and quenching the smouldering ashes. It_)is estimated that damage has been done to the extent of £10,000. __