DISASTROUS FIRE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7752, 22 July 1916, Page 3

DISASTROUS FIRE.

BLOCK SWEPT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. LOSSES ESTIMATED AT £20,000. (Per Press Association). NEW PLYMOUTH, This day. The biggest fire experienced here for over thirty years occurred early this morning. The Theatre Royal, Govctt and Quilliams’ buildings, A.M.P. Buildings (in process of demolition), Walter Beweley’s, Hugh Bailey’s, Austin Beweley’s, Monteath’s offices, J. B. Mac Ewan and Co’s, warehouse were completely destroyed. Veale’s grocery establishment was gutted, and buildings on the opposite side of the street were damaged. The fire had a good hold before it was discovered. A high wind compelled the firemen to give their attention to buildings across the street. The tram service aC the western end of the town was interrupted. THE INSURANCES. The list of insurances are still incomplete owing to the confusion and the loss of papers. The Theatre Royal is a tolal loss, and was owned by the Taranaki Amusements Company, being insured for £SOO in the Guardian office. The loss is over £IOOO and includes 400 new seats stored in the basement for the new picture theatre, which were uinsured. Monteath and Austin Beweley’s offices, owned by Wyborn, were insured for £6OO in the New Zealand and £IOO in the Commercial Union and are a total loss. Monteath’s effects were uninsured. Beweley’s small loss was covered in the British Dominions. Mac Ewan and Co. suffered a total loss, but their insurances are unavailable. . Govett and Quilliams’ building was covered in the Royal for £IOOO and the furniture in the Royal for £4OO, and is a total loss. Veale’s building, owned by Cunningham’s estate, was insured for £4OO in the South British, stock £SOO in the South British. Veale’s loss is estimated at £IOOO. Cannon’s furniture, in the same building, £175 in the Royal Exchange. The South British, State, Phoenix and Guardian offices are interested in smaller amounts and partial losses across the street. Sladden and Palmer (surveyors) lost all their valuable plans and instruments. The fire brigade worked splendidly, hut valuable time was lost in giving the alarm, and consequently the brigade’s efforts on arrival at the fire had to be directed to saving the buildings across Devon street, and the White Hart Hotel and Coffee Palace, which were both endangered. It is impossible to check the main fire total, but the losses will probably exceed £20,000. Why run the risk? Insure with the Norwich Union Fire Office. All classes of risks covered. —W. J. Pel low, Agent, Waipawa.*