THE DANNEVIRKE FIRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 25, 24 October 1917, Page 6

THE DANNEVIRKE FIRE

ORGANISING RELIEF FOR SUFFERERS t ESTIMATES OF LOSSES By Telegraph—Press Association. Dannevirke, October 23. Danncvirke is busy to-day contemplating the scene of yesterday's disastrous blaze. The debris burned throughout lasfcjiig'ht, ami to-night it is still smouldering, but I lu. brigade confined it to the area over which tlamos had ravenously swept, and, despite the gate, there has been no further spread, and there is little fear of a recrudescence of the outbreak.

Nothing remains of wlmt was yesterday morning the centre of the town but bare brick walls, tottering chimneys, twisted galvanised iron, ami charred sticks. A track was cut right through tho centre of the town on an angle, the area devastated comprising about two to three acres. Steps are being taken by the Mayor, the chairman of the JDannevirke County Council, the president, of tho Chamber of Commerce, and Air. G. Hunter, M.P., to organise relief for sufferers, ami a special appeal is being made to the old Uannevirke residents throughout the country to rally to the aid of tho sufferers. A meeting convened by tho Mayor was held this afternoon for the purpose of considering what steps could bo taken to relieve the position areattd by the fire. Over J-100 was subscribed in the room Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., Mr.' Jonathan Holden, and Mr. P. G. Cowper heading the list with donations of ,4100 each. .Representatives of most of the insurance companies have been on the scene of the disaster to-day. There was no exaggeration about the reports previously issued, and the losses are practically impossible to estimate on present prices of stock and the cost of building. The D.C.A. 6tock was valued at ,£36,000, oost price, and was insured for ,£20,000, while the building also involves a heavy loss to the owners. ■ Andrews's Hotel was valued at <£18,000, and the furniture and effects at .64500. The building was insured for ,£7710, and the effects for .£'3225. The Masonic Hotel building was insured for -£2250, and the loss is considerably above that amount. The licensee, Mr. Ross, estimates his loss, above the insurance on the stock and effects, at about .£2OOO

The total loss of Mr. M'Callnrn, jeweller, is about <81200; that of Mr. B. 0. Thomsen, tobacconist, .£500; that of Mr. T. .T. Flynn, bootmaker, ,£6OO. The building ana stock of Mr. A. C. Webber, .bookseller,, were insured for .£7OO and £1000 respectively, Rnd valued at .£2500. ftose Ltd.'s buildings were valued at about ,£2OOO, and were uninsured. Mr. James Neagle, 'saddler and motor agent, is a heavy loser.. The building of JJrumniond ?nd Kodder, ironmongers, was insured for .£IOOO, and tho stock, which was valued at ,£3OOO, was coveral for .£ISOO. Collett and Son's stock and '.iinehinery were valued at between £7000 and -£8000, and they are heavy losers. The building of Mr. A. 11. Hill, tobacconist, was valued at JSIOOO, and. insured for only i! 175. Armstrong and Morrison's building wa3 valued at JCIOGO, and insured for .£SOO. The stock was worth i!(i500, and was insured for .£3500. The stock of Mr. L. P. Bartlett, bootmaker,. was valued at .£2OOO, and was insured for .£575. The loss of Mr. Charles Clarke, butcher, is about .£BOO. The stock of Mr. J. P. Englebretsen, draper, was insured for .£BOO, and valued at ,£2500. Sir. Englebretsen also lost his personal effects, valued at ,£250. These are the principal losers, but many more minor sums make up a formidable list. Numerous messages of sympathy have been received by the sufferers, many of whom are making temporary arrangements to carry on. Thrco pilferers of salvago appeared at Court toKlay. Two were fined .£lO each and one .£5, in default fourteen days' impiTsonment.