BIG BLAZE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2831, 24 July 1916, Page 6

BIG BLAZE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

» THEATRE AND BUSINESS HOUSES DESTROYED. By Telegraph—Press AssociationNew Plymouth, July 22. Tho biggest fire for over thirty years occurrcd here early this morning. The Theatre Royal, Govctt and Quilliam s Buildings, the A.11.P. Building (in process of demolition), Walter Bewley's, Hugh Bailey's, Austin Bewley's and Montcith's offices, and J. B. Jl'Evan and Co.'s warehouso were completely destroyed, and Veale's grocery was gutted. The buildings ou tho opposite side of the street wore damaged. ■ The fire had a good hold before it was .discovered, and tho high wind compelled firemen to give their attention to saving- the buildings across the street. The tram service to the west end of the town was interrupted. Tho list of insurances is incomplete, owing to tho confusion anil loss of papers. Tho Theatre Royal is a total loss. It was owned by the Taranaki Amusement Company, and was insured for .£SOO in tho Guardian Office, but ,£IOOO will not cover the loss, which includes .£4(10 for new seats stored in the basement for a new picture theatre, ■ which were uninsured. Monteith and Austin Bewley's offices were owned by Mr. Wyborn, and were insured for JG6OO in the New Zealand and .£lO9 in the Commercial Union. They are total loss. Monteith's effects were uninsured. Bewley's small loss is covered in the British Dominions Office. M'Ewan and Co.'s place is a total loss, but the insurances are not available. Govett the Royal for .£IOOO, and the furniture in the Royal for .£100; it is a total loss. Veale's building, owned by the Cunningham Estate, is insured for .£4OO in the South British, and the stock for ,£SOO in the same office. Vealo's loss is iiono. Cannon's furniture in tho same building is insured for X 175 in the Royal Exchange. The South British, State, Phoenix, and Guardian Offices aro interested in smaller amounts on partial losses. Across tho street", Sladden and Palmer (surveyors) lost all, their valuable plans and instruments.\ The Fire Brigade worked splendidly, but valuable timo was lost in giving .the alarm. Tho brigade's efforts had to be directed to saving tho buildings across Devon Street, and the White Hart Hotel and C'olfee Palace, which were endangered. It was impossible to check the main fire. The total losses probably exceed .£20,000.