BIG FIRE AT BULLS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12493, 20 March 1909, Page 2

BIG FIRE AT BULLS.

THE NEW POST OFFICE AND TOWN HALL DESTROYED.

[U>tted Press Association.]

Marion, March 19. The most disastrous fire that has ever occurred at Bulls broke out last night . It began at Mr W. B. Clark's store, next to the Post Office, and had a strong hold before an." alarm was given. A strong south-easterly wind was blowing, and steady rain was falling, but the fire spread, quickly to a blacksmith's shop owne3 by Mr Walk-, errand occupied by Mr H. Green. Mr Thomas King's offices and the Rangitikei Dairy Company's premises were all demolished. "Efforts to check the flames were futile, and they spread to Mr J. Mansell's ironmongery and crockery storerooms, and also to the dwellings at the back of the premises, ses. • .

' The heat was terrific and the Post Qffice, a new brick building, caught fire under the eaves. • Still -more strenuous efforts were made to . stay the progress of the flames, but they were of no avail, and the whole interior of the Post Office was burnt, only the walls being left. By this time the buildings opposite in the street in the direction of the wind were in imminent danger. Messrs Gorton and Sons' and the Rangitikei Racing Club's offices caught but the fire was extinguished by the bucket brigade. Efforts were made to save the Town Hall; but that also was burnt to the ground. An adjoining shop and dwelling, owned by Mr Mansell, and occupied respectively by Mr Nicholson, x bootmaker, and Mr F. Paul were burnt.

The bucket brigade's attention was then turned to saving the tailor's shop owned by Mr John Stevenson, and occupied by Mr Monks, on the north side of the Post Office. Fortunately the efforts were rewarded, and the building was saved ; otherwise other buildings, including Messrs Jones and McGregor's store, must have gone. Messrs Mansell and Son's store, at the south end of the street,' also escaped, the store being detached. -

By energetic and systematic working the fire was then checked. It was fortunate that the conflagration stopped here, for the Rangitikei HO7 tel, the Banks of New Zealand and New_ South Wales , and the buildings adjoining would otherwise have been destroyed. The official records of 'the Post Office, documents, and letters, were saved. _ The stock of Clark's store, consisting of a large new : shipment of autumn and winter goods, was. burnt, and the loss is heavy. Manjell and Son saved their_ stock, which was damaged by rain and removal, the estimated loss being £1000. Nicholson's stock and equipment were saved The building was insured for £165 in the Northern office. Mr Clark's stock was insured in the Victoria office for £500, and the stock in the same office for £1000 and £800 in the South British. He is a heavy loser. The blacksmith's shop was owned by Mr Walker, and insured for £125 in the National office. Mr King',s office was insured for £125 in the same company. The Town Hall was insured for £400 in the National office, and Mahsell and Co.'s bulk storeroom for £465 in the Northern office.

. About eight o'clock this morning an outbreak of fire occurred in three different bedrooms in the Rangitikei Hotel. The bedding and matresses were burnt, and the loss is estimated at about £150.