WAITAKI SHOPS GUTTED

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1928, Page 13

WAITAKI SHOPS GUTTED

BIGGEST FIRES FOR YEARS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, Oct. 11. The biggest fire for nearly ten years occurred at 4.30 this morning at Waitaki in the two-storey building in Thames Street, owned by AV. Aickenhood, draper. The damage is estimated at about £lOOO. Aickenhood’s shop was gutted and the stock is a total loss. H. Grenfell’s mercery stock was badly damaged by water. J. Martyn’s cycle and sporting stock was damaged by water. L. Frame, hairdresser, had his stock and fittings destroyed. Misses Cartwright had three pianos, furniture and music destroyed. The stock, furniture and fittings of J, Gunning, tailor Mrs. Gibson, dressmaker, and W. Brown, commission agent, were a total loss. The fire is believed to have started in the rear of the building. A heavy wind made it a hard fight for the brigade. Aickenhood’s shop and the upstairs portion were gitted. The insurances are:—Aickenhood, £4OOO on the building in the National Office, £3200 on the stock in the New Zealand and Standard Offices. He will be a heavy loser. Grenfell has £1509 on his stock in the Sun, New Zealand, and South British Offices; Martyn, £575 on stock and plant; Cartwright, £254 on Iris furniture in the South Britisli Office; Frame, £150; Highway, Brown, Gibson and Gunning had their fittings insured for about £l5O.