DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TAURANGA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3097, 1 June 1881, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TAURANGA.

ESTIMATED LOSS, £30,000

[by TELEQEAPH.] Tauranga, June 1. A most disastrous fire occurred here last night, the loss being roughly estimated at £30,000. The most valuable portion of the town has been totally destroyed, including every buildi) » on both sides of Harrington-street. The fire originated in Mr Lewis Lee's store, and was discovered shortly before eight o'clock by the smell and by smoke issuing from the building. On the door being burst open the building was at once enveloped in flames, which quickly spread to Menzies' hotel, and from there up Harringtonstreet. Mr Wrigley's handsome new store and dwelling-bouse were destroyed. Very few goods were saved, the fire spreading too rapidly and the heat being too intense to allow of anyone approaching it. Further Particulars. The fire last night commenced at 8 o'clock in Mr Lee's shop on the Strand, and with the southerly breeze it spread both ways, and in two hours it had cleared the whole of the block of buildings between Harrington and Hamilton streets. When Menzies' hotel was all on fire the the flames flew over to the other side of Harrington-street, and caught Mr Chadwick's shop, and from there it swept Mr Jordan's large grain stores, stacks of Hobart pailings, and the Mechanic's Institute. The Government building had a narrow escape, as it was enveloped in Bparks and burning material, and the coals were set on fire in the shed.

The buildings burnt down areRhodes', M'Kenney's, Mrs Fieldling's. Bonner's, Lee's, Ellis's, Burra's, Menzies' hotel, the Bay of Plenty Times office, Chadwick's, Jordan's, and the Mechanic's Institute.

Tbe total loss is about £30,000, of which very little is insured. There was no fire brigade or hand-pump. The Maoris, who are in great force here, worked splendidly in trying to save all tbe goods.

When the fire broke out the flames soon enveloped the whole front of tbe building, making it impossible to do anything to check the progress of the flames. The fire spread so rapidly that the occu-

pants of the adjoining premises had little time to save anything. Wrigley's grain store and stables were saved. The places destroyed are Rhodes' store and boot shop, McKenzie's boarding house, Fielding's shop, Mr Bonn and Mrs Ellis* boot shop, and Mr Burrow's stationery depot, also several small dwelling houses. The Bay of Plenty Times have taken new offices in Spring-street, and will stop only ono issue, publishing on Saturday. The i origin of the Are is unknown, but it is supposed that a kerosene lamp was left burning in the building and exploded, or set fire to the goods hanging above. Wriglv, who was uninsured, loses about £13,000. Auckland, June 1. The complete insurances are not yet known, but the following is as nearly correct as possible: — The Union Company lose £625 net; it had risks amountiug to a great deal more, but the remainder was re-insured. The Colonial office had risks to the amount of £4200, but about £3000 were re-insured ; the Colonial risks are on the Bay ol Plenty Times office, the store lately occupied by Mr Jordan, Menzies' Tauranga Hotel, Burra's, and Lee's store. The National Company's net loss is about £1000, although it had risks to the extent of £1,700, and includes £710 on Jordan's premises, £250 on Lee's, and £50 on Ellis'. The North British office loses £900 on reinsurance from the Colonial. The Standard office has reinsurance of £450 from the Colonial, and £200 from the Union. The Norwich Union loses £250 on Burra's, the South British £500 on Lee's, and £250 on Jordan's. The New Zealand and Royal offices have not received advices yet.