Second Edition FIRE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 89, 22 April 1913, Page 6

Second Edition FIRE IN NEW ZEALAND.

LOSS RATE—A WORLD’S RECORD. [Per Press Association. 1 Wellington, April 22. New Zealand’s fire loss rate was ffeferred to by the President of the Chamber of Commerce to-day. He said that the losses amounted to 4} millions‘in the past eight years. The amount per head last year was 12s id, Which was about a world’s record, agairlst 10s 24 for United'tSates and Is 4d for Europe. Wood buildings must be largely' responsible for the heavy, loss, but many of the fires ~opcifrre4 in the best risks and blocks. Ovor-inSurance or full insurance might bo a contributory Cause, and was one Which' t'O a certain extent was in the ,'hnnds of companies to remedy. Though insurance was largely a matter of good faith on the part of the assured and insurance 'companies, they could not always be blamed in cases of overiUkufancd. Tho'fijoral hazard in New Zealand, he added, may not be low, Hut'inducements tb carelessness should be avoided; : The direct monetary loss to the 1 Dominion.’ now'is so severe that it behoves ’all interested to find a remedy; The most practicable one appears to be the compulsory holding oUan enquiry after every fire.