GREAT FIRE IN TAIHAPE.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXV, Issue 4255, 3 March 1909, Page 2

GREAT FIRE IN TAIHAPE.

THIRTEEN PREMISES DESTROYED. Taihape, Maxell 1. A most destructive fire occurred this morning. A whole block in Main street and Station -I.eel was totally destroyed. Thirteen business premises were gutted. The fire started in Whaler Bros’ boot shop and spread rapidly right and left. Fortunately it was a calm night. The premises of the following were destroyed : Ellis and Darviil, storekeepers McPherson, tailor. Nichol, jeweller. Finch, stationer-two storey. Labor 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 shops opposite were only saved by strenuous exertions. The crowd worked willingly. The Fire Brigade were just proceeding by train to Auckland for the demonstration, but remained behind. Their services were of little use as no water was available. The insurances as far as at present ascertained are:—Hodgson, £I3OO in the Norwich Union; Whaler, £250 in the Australian Alliance; McPherson, £250 in the same office ; Nichols, £3OO in the South British; Garner, stock£2oo, and on the building owned by Gibbons, £IOO both in the Commercial Union; Whitcombe, stock £l5O in the Commercial Union; Finch, COCO on the stock valued at £I6OO, in ilie Sun, and on personal effects £SO, in the New Zealand office, loss over that £150; Ellis and Darviil, who have the largest business, are insured in the Alliance, hut the amount is not knowr. Tin- progress nf ili- fue was eventually stopped by pilling down the buildings adjoining the Police Station. March 2. No buildings beyond those enumerated jesieiday were destroyed. ffeveial premises on the opposite tide of ihe street were, scorched and windows were broken and stock was slightly damaged by water. All this damage is in small amounts But for the absolute calm the whole town might have been destroyed. A large quantity of goods was salvaged. The loss over Iho insurances is very heavy. The total damage is estimated at about £25 000. The insurances total about £SOOO. .