SERIOUS FIRE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16840, 11 September 1920, Page 3

SERIOUS FIRE.

IN' WOOL SCOURING' WORKS. DAMAGE OF £20,000, Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 11. Damage to the extent of £20,000 was caused by a fire which, at an early hour this morning, consumed the wool scouring works of Walter Hill, at Woolston, Valuable scouring, tanning, and fellmongery machinery, which cannot he replaced within eighteen months, was destroyed, atid tho loss included 500 bales of wool valued at £2O a hale. Outbuildings wore saved, but tho principal works were practically burnt to the ground. Some 70 men are thrown out of work. The plant, building and stock wore insured with the. Commercial Union Insurance Coy. for £9770, covering about half Mr. Hill’s losses. In addition some £30,000 worth of the Government stock was in store,, the insurance on which is not available.