FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 9

FIRES.

OUTBREAKS AT HASTINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association. NAPIER. June 2. Two total losses by fire occurred in Hastings this afternoon. A six-roomed house in Frederick Street, occupied by Mrs Gordon, an invalided widow' and her son. George Gordon, who has an orchard on the property, was discovered on fire by Mr Gordon. Despite the brigade's prompt arrival, the time taken to run out 1700 feet of hose, the weakness of the w’ater pressure, and the high wind combined to prevent the success of their efforts to avoid a total loss.

Mrs Gordon was got out by her son, but the flames spread so rapidly that neighbours saved only a few r things of trifling value. The house and furniture were insured in the State Office, but the amounts are not ascertainable. The second outbreak was at 5.40 in a large eight-roomed house, owmed and occupied by H. D. Kemp, nurseryman, situated beyond the borough boundary, in Lyndhurst Road. The flames had a very strong hold before being discovered by a passerby. The owner was dining with a neighbour. and Mrs Kemp is on holiday in Palmerston North. The brigade gave up the effort to subdue the flames by pumping water from an artesian well, and concentrated successfully on some large outbuildings behind the house. Nothing was saved from the residence, which w’as insured for £IOOO in the South British, while policies of £4OO on the furniture, and £350 on the outbuildings were held in the same office If you realise that you are not adequately insured against fire loss, the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd., is a New Zealand Company with all its capital invested in New Zealand, and thus can assure you prompt settlement. Timaru Agents. H. J. R. Somerville and Co., 20 Strathallan Street. ..