FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13844, 4 March 1909, Page 5

FIRES.

LARGE STORE DESTROYED

Press Assoeiation-By .Telegraph-Copyright MELBOURNE, March 3. Messrs Harrison -Brothers' large store at Wan£aratta Wife destroyed •;])& fire to-day. The da in age is estimated at £14,000. ' Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 3. The Pa'ikakariki Hotel, leased by Mr Hilton and owned by Mr Anyon, was burned down this moi-riing. • Nothing was savfed but a piano. It. is supposed that the fire started in tlie dining-room.

The hotel was a stopping-place for the coaches which used -to run between -Wellington and WahgaiUii before tlie Railway was built. It contained about thirty-five rooins and. was owned by Mr G. Anyon, now residing in' Fiji. No 'cause can be ascertained for tlie outbreak, which was discovered by the laundress about 5 o'clock iii the morning. The housemaid roused _tlie 31 boarders who escaped in their night clothing, absolutely rtothiiig being saved The licensee got away 'with nothing biit bis coat and trousers. So sudden and fierce were the flames tli'at ■1 riuarter of an hour after ili'e alajftn the building was lii rmtts. Mr Hilton lost £BO worth of jewellery and several of the boarders- valuables tb a sirtall'er amount. The building was insured in the Liverpool and -London and Globe offices for £2IOO, the furniture for £2OO and the stock for £2OO m the same oi'fice. -