A BIG BLAZE

Southland Times, Issue 19388, 31 October 1924, Page 6

A BIG BLAZE

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 30. A four-storey brick building on Lambton Quay, belonging to Harold Brown and Company, wine and spirit merchants, was destroyed by fire early this morning. A strong breeze was blowing and the Brigade had some difficulty in preventing the spread of the flames. The ground floor, in front, was used as a bootshop, into which Geo. Ardrey only moved yesterday. A considerable amount of stock had been placed in the shop but was not insured. At the back were tea rooms which also were gutted. The adjoining shops suffered from water. The Wanganui Racing Cup, valued at 100 guineas, was destroyed. The building was owned by the Jacob Joseph estate and insured in the Royal Exchange for £BlOO. Brown had the contents covered by the Royal Exchange policy for £7OO. The tearooms were occupied by Mrs Annie Lareys, and the contents were insured for £175 in the United Office. In order to get at the back the fire brigade had to break through the rear of the boot shop, and much damage was done in the process, and later on by water. McGregor Wight's picture shop suffered slightly from water. But for the whiskey barrels bursting the brigade had a good chance of confining the fire to the one floor.