LARGE BLOCK AFFECTED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 157, 29 March 1939, Page 10

LARGE BLOCK AFFECTED

Premises In Two Streets

BUILDINGS GUTTED Heavy Losses Among Warehousemen Six buildings were directly affected by the lire, most damage being done to the largest. Victoria House, which was completely gutted. The top portion of Hallenstein Bros, building at the rear was gutted, and in two other buildings adjoining Victoria House and two adjoining Hallenstein Bros.’ building considerable damage was done to shops and warehouses. Some distance from Victoria House, the premises of Ballinger and Co., Ltd., plumbers and electrical merchants. where the staff were stocktaking, were menaced when the gutters became stopped with embers. Buckets of water were taken from the tanks and the flames extinguished. John Duthie and Company’s store, Willis Street, was also in danger when the roof caught fire, but a constant stream of water was used by a fireman high upon an extension ladder in Willis Street. Many other buildings had small fires on their roofs when packing cases and other materials caught fire. Sparks ignited the flagpole on the roof of the Majestic Theatre, more than 100 yards from the fire. Buildings Damaged. The buildings in the block where the fire was centred were:— Victoria House, a brick building with wooden floors, of six floors and a basement, is owned by Mr. E. .1. Williams, Greymouth. It was erected in 1905 at a "cost of £22,000, and was occupied as a warehouse by P. Hayman and Company. With its new ownership the name was changed from Hayman’s Building to Victoria House. Tlie building was occupied by the tollowing tenants: —

Basement: The Inter-Island Transport Company. Ground floor: Dominion Dental Supplies, who had only just taken over from the Bruce Woollen Company. First floor: Frederick Burgess, soft goods agent: F. O. and H. S. Hart, Ltd., china indenters.

Second floor: C. Weinstein and Co., Ltd., crockery importers; Mandel and Simester, fancy goods; F. O. and H. S. Harn Third floor: Charles S. Clark Ltd., importers: Ansell and Co., shoe importers; E. Whiteaway and Co.. Ltd., home buyers: A. G. Herman and Co., manufacturers' representatives. Weinstein and Co., bulk store: E. Hirsclilield and Co., manufacturers’ representatives, who had recently arrived and whose new range of Palestine goods worth £.1500. was not insured: James S. Smythe, agent for Pyrene lire extinguishers. Fourth floor: J. H. Oldham and Co., manufacturers' representatives; Gonrock Rope Works. Fifth floor: Johnson's Wireless College: Frank Cattell, manufacturers’ representative; Charles S. Stewart, manufacturers’ representative.

Next to Victoria House in AHctoria Street, Esco House, a four-story building, is owned by Excelsior Supply Company (office and factory supplies), and was occupied as follows: — Ground floor: AV. J. Ross and Co., British textile agents.

First floor: Abbott, Armstrong and Howie, warehousemen (K. N. K. Huffam).

Second floor: Excelsior Supply Company. On tlie corner of Chews Lane and Victoria Street, a two-story building owned by tlie AVellington City Corporation is occupied by the following tenants: Downs and Poole. Ltd., indent agents: Parti Needlework and Handkerchief Co., Ltd.; Green lingh’s Ltd. (medical supplies); Bushells Ltd.; United Customs and Carrying Co., Ltd. AVillis Street Premises. At the rear of Victoria House, facing Willis Street, a three-story building owned by Hallenstein Bros, was occupied by tlie following:— Ground floor: F. J. W. Fear and Company, radio dealers, etc.; McLean and Archibald, tool dealers. First floor: B. D. A’ial, dentist; the Aloderne School of Dressmaking. Seco id floor: Phyllis Bates's Dance Studio. Tlie contents of Miss Bales s studio were insured in tlie South British office, but were not fully covered. Third floor: A residential flat.

Next to Hallenstein Bros.’ Building in Willis Street is a three-story building occupied on the first and second floors by the Federal Club, and on tlie ground floor by Madame Dawne, frock specialist, and Boulevard Tailors. This building was originally part of the premises of Hayman and Company, and was occupied by them as agents for Hie British and Continental Piano Company. The Wellington City Corporation owns a two-story building on the corner of Willis Street and Chews Lane. This is occupied on the first floor by the Federal Club, ami on tlie ground' floor'by Hie following shops: Hurry I p Boot Repa'irers: R. Turner, tobacconist: Frank Petrie Ltd.. tailors; and The Electrical Service Company, Ltd.

ATTEMPT AT THEFT

Three Men Apprehended By Constable At the height of the tire several attempts al pilfering goods from tlie shops which were being evacuated were made. A jeweller in the block next to tlie Empire Hotel, Mr. E. A. Catlin, was stacking his goods on the pavement when a man began to help himself. Two others acted likewise, but the efforts of the three were frustrated by a constable, who clamped handcuffs on (Item and led them away. There was suggestion of further pilfering in the appearance of a man in a hotel foyer carrying a large silver cup. It was taken from him by the hotel proprietor. As a whole bystanders showed great willingness to kelp in the salvage of stock from the shops, and very quickly this was transferred to safety in premises across the street.