FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12909, 24 February 1906, Page 5

FIRES.

LARGE TIMBER YARDS DESTROYED.

VERY HEAVY LOSSES.

United Press Association—Per Electric : Telegraph—Copyright. SIDNEY. February 25. Mackenzie's timber yards which* caught fire on Tuesday night, were completely gntted. The Austral Box Company's factory, which adjoined, w also destroyed. During the height of the fire a strong » therly wind sprang up. ,Tbe scene of the outbreak adjoined Allan Taylor's large titnber yard*. Though the fire was prevented from getting a hold of Taylor's yard, the i timber and fittings wctc damaged br the beat to the extent of £ISOO. Several vessels w«re lying at the wharves in the vicinity, and theic was every indication of a; disastrous conflagration, bat the brigade*. w T ,'o turned cut in full force, weje assisted by men from various warships, and succeeded after a desperats fight, in confining the flames to the two premises which were destroyed, and effected the saving of valuable ptoperty. Considerable danger was experienced in getting vessel* moored at the wharves out of the fire zone into tie si ream, the fiie burning with tremeadou* fierceness. A falling stack of timber smashed a ,«:andpipe, and interfiled somewhat with the water supply. It was a splendid spectacle, and the sky was lit up for utiles around the city. An immense ciowd congregated. The damage is estimated in the vicinity of £3D,OCO. and is partially covered by insurance. THE LOSSES AND INSURAXCRS. Received 10.20 p.m.. Februarv 23rd. SYDNEY. February 23. The Austral Timber Company estimate their looses at £BOOO to £IO,OOO. Toe stork of timber consumed was tnostlv, X«w Zealand white pine a&d totalled 1,500.000 feet. • The insurances are.;— Austral Timber Company, £SOOO m the !fnr Zealand «f----fire: Mr Allen Taylor. £3500 in the National and New Zealand: Mr Mackenzie. £15.100, including £5700 in »h» NV Zealand, and -352500 in the South British'. Per Press Association WELLINGTON. Febroajy 23: A fi:e in Ramsay's saddler's (shop Let evening did considerable damage to the buildiiii; and Mock; The latter was has'tued for £3OO in the Liverpaa] and I-on-dnn and Globe Office, and for £IOO in fhe Gturdhn Office. Tie piemi.*es wese snsrifd in the State Office. CHniSTCHI'RCH. Kelp-wry 23. A seven-rcoroed house in .Jacksun"* toad. I.yttelton. «.v.i~l by Mr H. S. Hewlett was destroyed by fij? cur'y this mcrning. Tiae building wis fully furnished, but had pot been ocenrded for mb<!t>t thr*e week*. The' only articles s:ived weie a piano and- a. few chairs which were dragged nnt oL'hc b'nruirg building by some neighbours. Tjse

building was insured for £3OO in the New Zeiland Office, and the furiiitute for £2OO in «-he .Sun < 'ifice.

IRNEDLV February 23.

A fire was discovered in the official assignee's room in the Law Court* in an incipient stags, ai,<j the •care-taker was able to suppress it with a, hose in the building before the brigade arrived. The damage done was trifling. It is supposed to have been caused by some on« carelessly throwing down a match on the coooanut sut-