BIG FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12162, 2 March 1909, Page 5

BIG FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

TWELVE BUSINESS PLACES

DESTROYED

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, March 1

The Secretary of the General Post Office was advised at 8.30 to-night by tho Postmaster at Taihape that a large firo occurred in tho business part of the town, twelve business places being <!estroyed, including Ellis and Darviil's blocks The fire is now under control. Later.

A message from Taihape states that a most destructive/ fire occurred this evening, tho whole block in Main Street nnd Station Street being totally destroyed. Thirteen business premises were gutted.

Tho following premises were destroyed: Whaler Bros (boot < shop), McPherson ("tailor), Nichol (jeweller), Finch (stationer, double storey), Labour Department, J. P. Aldridge (insurance agent), Hautapp Tearooms, Whitcomba (dentist), Wong Kee (fruiterer), Jones (painter), Hodgson (plumber), Garner (seed merchant).

Not a stick of timber was left.

The Police-Sergeant's residence and tho shops opposite were only saved by tho strenuous exertioiis of the crowd, who worked willingly. No water was available.

The insurances at present ascertained are: Hodgson £300, in the Norwich Union; Whaler, £250 in the Australian Alliance; McPherson, the same; Nichols, £300 in the South British; Garner, stock £200, building (owned by Gibbons). £100, both in the Commercial Union; Whitcombe,. stock £150 in the Commercial Union; Finch, £9(^o on his stock (valued at £1500) in the Sun and on his personal effects £50 in the New Zealand; he rsiimafejs Vh 1-ss over that at £150. Ellis and Darville was the largest business, and was insured in tho Alliance, hut the amount is not known. The progress of the firo was eventually stopped by pulling down the buildings adjoining the police,section.