FIRES Big Blaze at Taihape

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12708, 2 March 1909, Page 5

FIRES Big Blaze at Taihape

Twelve Buildings Destroyed

(Per United Press Association}. WELLINGTON, March 1. The secretary of the General Post Office was advised at 8.30 to-night by the Postmaster at Taihape that a large fire occurred in the business part of the town, 12 business places being destroyed, including Ellis and Darville's block. The fire is now under control.

A message from Taihape states that a most destructive fire occurred this evening, the whole block in Main Street and Station Street being totally destroyed. 13 business premises were gutted. The following premises were destroyed : — Whaler Bros, (boot shop), McPherson (tailor), Nichol (jeweller), Finch (stationer, double storey), Labour Department, J. P. Aldridge (insurance agent), Hautapu Tea Rooms, Whitcombe (dentist), Wong Kee (fruiterer), Jones (painter), Hodgson (plumber), Garner (seed merchant).

Not a stick of timber was left.,

The police sergeant's residence and the shops opposite were only saved by the exertions of the crowd, who worked willingly. No water was available.

The insurances at present ascertained are : — Hodgson .£3OO, in the Norwich Union ; Whaler, J2250 in the Australian Alliance ; McPherson, the same ; Nichols, stock d£2oo, building (owned by Gibbons), dfilOO, both in the Commercial Union; Whitcombe, stock i>lso in the Commercial Union; Finch, .£9OO on his stock (valued at .£1500) in the Sun, and on his personal effects ,£SO in the New Zealand; he estimates his loss over that at .£l5O. Ellis and Darville was the .largest business, and was insured in the Alliance, but the amount is not known. The progress of the fire was eventually stopped by pulling down the buildings adjoining the police station.

GISBORNE, March 2.

A fire destroyed the dwelling of Mr Ballantyne of Mangaone. In endeavouring to salvage the contents, Mrs Ballantyne was severely scorched, her clothing taking fire. The house and contpnts were insured for .£250 in the South British.