FIRE AT THE BAT.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 258, 5 November 1870, Page 2

FIRE AT THE BAT.

DESTRUCTION OF A FLAX MILL. A most unfortunate occurrence took place on the night of Wednesday last, at the Bay of Islands, when Mr. McLeod's large flax mill and stores were totally destroyed by fire. The origin of the fire is unknown, nor can any probable guess be made at ib. A man slept in the engine room, and another in the stores, which latter contained a larga quantity of prepared flax. The loss comes very heavily upon Mr. McLeod, who has been a most enterprising settler, and who - has spared neither trouble -nor expense in rendering his machinery as perfect as possible. All the newest appliances had been adopted, and the sample of fibre turned out was inferior to none hitherto exported. We believe that Mr. McLeod had just entered into an engagement with a Melbourne firm for the supply of a large quantity. The entire plant, &c, has cost considerably over £2,000, and the worst part of the whole affair is that it was quite uniniured. Fortunately, three or four days hefpre the fire, about twenty tons of flax had been ■hipped to Auckland. I