DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT LAW RENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 890, 9 May 1879, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT LAW RENCE.

The largest fire that baa ever occurred at Lawrence happened on Monday morning at 6 o’clock. It is it-poned that a man named Humphrey, who was at work m Mr J. M’Gowan Clarke’s bakery, observed smoko issuing from Mr F. Meyer’s proceiy ami ironmongery establishment. Ho at once called Mr Clarke's attention to it, and they immediately raised the alarm, which caused many persons to rush to the spot. The tire had by this time got a firm hold of the building. As it raged in the rear portion adjoining the Colonial Hank, that building was soon ignited, Mr M’Kerrow, the bank clerk being only aroused when the fire had got hold of the bank. All the hooks and papers that were out of the safes were at once removed. In the meantime the disbanded Fire Brigade had got one of the hydrants at work, and shortly afterwards a second one was got to play on the burning buildings. A good supply of water was available, which did good service, and was the moans of preventing tho fire spreading, but not before Mr D. Johnston’s boot and shoe shop was gutted, and Mr J. Crow’s tailor’s shop had been turned bodily over twice into the middle of Ross place, leaving a gap between it and Martin’s watchmaker and jeweller’s shop, which building was kept cool and wot with blankets. A large portion of Johnston’s stock was saved, but still he is a loser of at least L 250 over his insurance. Unfortunately for him he only had his building insured for LSOO - partly in the Norwich Union and partly in the ,Standard. Mr Crow’s building was insured in the Norwich Union for LSO, and there was also 1.5(1 on the stock, which was all saved. Fortunately the weather was calm, otherwise the whole of the block up to the Town Hall would have gone. The members of the old Brigade did good service, and a large number of citizens also lent assistance. Mr J. N. Storry, the energetic captain of the old Fire Brigade, stuck to the first hose all the time, and Inspector Moore was also very energetic in saving all that was possible. The origin of the fire is unknown. Mr Meyer states he was in his shop on Sunday night until 12 o’clock writing. He locked the place up himself, and as no one sleeps on the premises, he was the Inst in it. Ho states that ho is a loser of over LBOO

beyond what is covered by insurances. The following are the particulars of the insurances :—F. Meyer, on stock, LSOO in the Northern, and LSOO in the Liverpool, Loudon, and Globe ;tho, building, which

belongs to the Colonial Bank L4OO in the South British ; the Bank, L4OO ia the Now Zealand ;Mr Johnston, L3OO in the Standard, and L2ooin the Norwich Union on the building—stock uninsurd ; J. Crow’s building, LSO, and stock LSO, in the Norwich Union. The stock was all saved, but the building was pulled down. The total amount is L 2350, being considerably under the estimated loss. It is probable an inquest will be held. —Daily Times Telegram.