THE NEWTON FIRE.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 128, 14 November 1885, Page 7

THE NEWTON FIRE.

Osr November 9, a v fire, broke out f in, Karangahape Road, Auckland, and, burnt to! the ground Reeves's furniture warehouse ' Waddingham's plumbing "and gasfitting establishment, and Dowding's tobacconist's shop, besides having > completely gutted Lovell's > butcher's < shop and D. Geddis's printing - office. , Mr Fawcett,. m tailor (whose premises adjoin the, printingoffice), also sustains loss by the well-inten-tioned removal of his goods in his absence. The'Btnk of Kew Zealand, which stands next to Reevea'fl premises on the l eastern side, is so badly charred as to render desirable the erection of a more durable and pretentious edifice, while Mr B. W. Morrison, who resides with his family at the rear portion of the bank premises, had his furniture damaged by water. Mr Superintendent Hughes deserves great credit for the energy and pluck which he displayed in fighting the flames with his scratch band of firemen and a rather meagre supply of water. He was in Queen- street when the bells rang out, and without a moment's delay he dashed off for the shed, and thence to the scene of action. On his way up he met the Secretary of the Brigade (Mr- Charles Brown) driving down from Newton for him, and together they returned. Most of the firemen were out - , of , town, but .those who were about rallied promptly and many more volunteered their services, amongst them a Thames Naval, named Lambert, who had been invalided. Mr Hughes found the fire plugs very inconveniently situated for his purposes. Of the voluntary band of workers Messrs Joseph Warren, TDearn, and Holgate were the chief. Mr Warren also generou 3ly threw open the Masonic Hall for the storage of perishable goods, an act that was very highly appreciated. This fire, and the long series in the same neighbourhood to which it is the most recent addition, emphasise the importance of a branch fire brigade being at once raised and stationed in Karangahape Koad. Insurance rates there are already almost prohibitive, and the place must suffer as a business thoroughfare unless the City Ccuncil will speedily attend to this matter. We commend it to the attention of the Ward representatives, Messrg Burns and Garratt. In the event of a branch brigade being started, Mr Warren promises them the free use of the Masonic Hall for their meetings, and a subscription to boot. We append a list of the estimated insurances and losses: — Bank of New Zealand, £100 on fixtures, New Zealand Office; E. W. Morrison (not ascertained) ; Reeves, £250, Norwich Union ; Waddingham, £150, Norwich Union ; Dowding, £250, Norwich Union ; Lo veil, uninsured ; D. Geddis,£lso, United; Fawcett, £270, New Zealand ; A. J. Lee, uninsured ; G. Hulme, £50p, New Zealand— £400, Imperial; Tuckey, £200, Norwich Union ; Holt and Cross, £300, .Norwich Union. Mr Lee was the owner of Reeves's premises, and Mr G. Hulme the owner of those of Waddingham, Dowding, Lovell, and Geddis. Mr Hulme had Waddingham's and Dowding's premises insured for £500, and Lovells and .Geddis's for £400. Tuckey, and Holt and Cross occupy premises to the westward of Fawcett, and like him their only loss accrues through removal of goods. Mr E. W. Morrison is the owner of the Bank of New Zealand's premises. Several places higner up the street ignited, but in each case the incipient fire was quenched before it had time to do any harm The total loss by the fire is roughly estimated at £2,000.