COSTLY AUCKLAND FIRES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1931, Page 6

COSTLY AUCKLAND FIRES

ESTIMATED DAMAGE £lOO,OOO “LESSON TO BUSINESS PEOPLE.” DETAILS OF THE INSURANCES. By Telegraph-—Pre?* Aweiation. Auckland, February 17. The damage done by the _ two fires which raged simultaneously in Hobson and Symonds Streets last night was estimated to-day as at least £ 100,000. _ u We have never had a fire like it in Auckland in my experience,” said Superintendent Wilson. “The risk to the whole block was so great and the fire had such a big hold that when we arrived that had there been a heavy wind I can only conjecture what might have happened. It will teach business people a lesson. These big buildings built back to back have light spaces between them and unprotected windows. If they, had iron shutters closed at night the dajtger would be much less.”.The destruction by fire of the premises of Modern Shoes, Ltd., throws 150 employees out of work. It was one of the largest shoe factories in New Zealand. It is reported that new plant must be secured from England. The number of other employees of the other companies burnt out was not ascertainable. to-day. . ' Insurance was held as follows:—-Mod-ern Shoes, Ltd.: Contents £40,000 apd building £BOOO in the New Zealand pfllee, and machine £230 in the South British. Warren Engineering Co., Ltd.: Contents £4750 and bqjlding £2OOO in the South British. Lichenstein, Arnoldson and Co., Ltd.: Contents £14,650 in the South British and building £12,700, shared among the Prudential £4850, Guardian £4lOO, Ocean £lOOO, New Zealand £750 and South British £2OOO. Cairns and Woodward: Contents £4850 in the Phoenix and building £2OOO in the Queensland. J. Partington, owner of tfic Windmill: £3po in the British Traders.