DISASTROUS FIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1944, Page 3

DISASTROUS FIRE

AT WAITARA MEAT WORKS.

VALUABLE STORES DESTROYED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, January 7. A disastrous fire which broke out in the wool-classing and drying store of Thos. Borthwick and Sons' works ■ at Waitara at five o'clock this morning completely demolished the main twostory -building of that section of the works and gutted two other singlestory bays adjoining. No estimate ol the value of the buildings, plant and stock affected could be given today by the manager, Mr. P. J. Allen, nor ol: the insurances covering the damage, but a survey of the destruction suggests it must run to several thousand pounds. The buildings themselves represent a considerable amount, but the contents including expensive plant and stocks, are by far the greatest loss.' Killing was proceeding as usual today. The buildings affected involve the works in the temporary loss of approximately 24,000 feet of floor space. Included in the stores burnt were about 1200 bags of lime, 1000 wool packs, 119 drums of sodium, 64 bales ol wool and about 30,0001 b. of loose wool, representing two days’ killings, 13,044 lamb and 1209 sheep pelts, 6437 green pelts and 2524 skins.