KAIAPOI FLOUR MILLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16684, 16 March 1922, Page 8

KAIAPOI FLOUR MILLS.

DESTROYED BY FIRE. The Kaiapoi flour mills wore completely destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning. The fire made such rapid progress that it was impossible to save any portion of the building. It is thought that the outbreak was caused by the overheating of a pulley block. About twenty tons of flour were destroyer!, while 11,000 sacks of wheat in store will be practically useless; owing to the damage done by the lire and water. The mills, which were situated at Wilson’s Siding, were owned for many years by the late Mr Richard Evans, and after his death they were dbw'ierl on by the trustees of the esta^^for some time. The building, which was of iron and wood, was four storeys high. It had been enlarged several times, and, in 1913, new machinery was installed throughout, being driven bv electric power from Lake Coleridge. The mill was situated about four miles from Kaiapoi, and there was no chance of the fire brigade arriving in time to save the building. A hand pump was, however, sent out, and attention was directed to the wheat stacks, where the fire was brought under control. The origin of the outbreak is quite a mystery, although it is believed !o have been caused by the electrical installation. Men were working in the mill all night, and they noticed the fire in its incipient stages at about ten minutes past four. They attempted to suppress it by means of sacks and buckets of water, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and the whole building was soon a. mass of flames. Mr Evans will probably be a loser bv between £3OOO and £4OOO. The stock was fairly well covered, hut the mill and plant -were under-insured. Nothing now remains of the mill except the chimneys. INSURANCES INCREASED YESTERDAY. The Insurance on the stock was £IO,OOO, and on the mill and plant £SBOO, both nolicies being held by the New Zealand Insurance Company. By a remarkable coincidence, the insurnce was increased by £7OOO at four o’clock yesterday afternoon, only twelve hours before the fire.