DISASTROUS FIRE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 11

DISASTROUS FIRE.

MUCH DAMAGE IN NEW PLYMOUTH. Vress Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, JuJy 22. The biggest fire here for over 30 years occurred early this morning, the Theatre Royal, Govett Quilliam's buildings, the A.M.P. building (which was in process of demolition), Walter Bcwley's, Hugh Bailey's, Austin Bewley's, and Monteath's offices, and J. B. MacEwen and Co.'s warehouse being completely destroyed. Veale's grocery store was gutted, and buildings opposite in the side street were damaged. The lire had a good hold before it was discovered, and a high wind compelled the liremen to devote their attention to the buildings across Ihe streets. The tram service with the west end of the town is interrupted. The Theatre Royal, which is a total loss, was owned by the Taranaki Amusements, and was insured for £SOO in the Guardian office. £IOOO will not cover the loss, which includes 400 new seats stored in the basement for a new picture theatre. These were not insured. Monteith and Austin Bewley's offices, owned by Wyhorn, were insured for £OOO in the New Zealand office, and for £IOO in the Commercial Onion. There was a total loss of Monteith's effects, which were not insured. Bewley's suffered a small loss, the effects being covered in the British Dominions and McSwan and Co.'s offices.. The total loss in insurances is not available. Govett and Quilliams building was insured in the Royal office for £IOOO, and the furniture in the same office for £IOO. There was a lotal loss on Veale's building, which was owned by Cunningham's estate. It was insured for £4OO by the South British Company, and the stock for £SOO by the same office. Veale's loss is estimated at £IOO. Cannon's furniture in [he same building was insured for £175 in the Royal Exchange. The South British, Slate, Phoenix, and Guardian offices are interested in smaller amounts. There were partial losses across the street, where Messrs Sladden and Palmer (surveyors), losl all Inch valuable plans, instruments, etc. The lire brigade worked splendidly, but valuable lime was lost in giving Ihe alarm. The brigade's efforts on arrival had to be directed to saving the buildings across Devon Street, the While Hart Hotel, and the Coffee Palace, which were both endangered. It was impossible to check the main lire. The total losses probably exceed £20,000.