FIRE AT THE KAIKORAI.

Evening Star, Issue 3857, 5 July 1875, Page 2

FIRE AT THE KAIKORAI.

A moat destructive fire took place at the Kaikorai on Saturday night, when Mr C. W. Flexman'a tannery and wool-scouring premises ware burned to the ground. The fire was first discovered a few minutes after ten 'o’clock by a man named Andrew Williamson. The statement made by the * Daily Times ’ this morning that Woodcock, a currier, lately in Mr Flexman’s employ, was the first to make the discovery, is, therefore, not correct. Mr Flex man. who was at the theatre on Saturday night, on hearing the fire-bell, hurried to the scene of the fire, bat the dames had obtained too great a hold to enable him to check their progress. Wo have been requested to state that Mr Flexman sent his own horses twice into town, with a view of bringing an engine out, but no attention was paid to his repeated requests. Lieut. Hobbs and four members of the Fire Brigade worked manfully right through a period of time extending over ten hours—having broughtjout a hand-engine, which was supplied with water from an adjacent creek. The manager, Mr Carradua, informs ui thjit every precaution was taken on Saturday, ana that the fire in the engine-house was banked up properly. The buildings extend overran acre of ground, and Mr Flexman roughly estimates the cost of their erection at between L 6,000 and L 7.000, and his loss in stock consumed from L 9,000 to LIO,OOO additional. At the very outside tbe salvage effected will not realise L2OO, Mr Flexman desires to thank tbe residents of the district, as well as several gentlemen from town, for the kind assistance they rendered. A body of police, under the charge of Inspector Mallard, was promptly on the spot, and succeeded in preserving order. The insurances effected on the buildings and stock are as follows Transatlantic, L 2,000; Norwich Union, L 800; Boyal, LI,000; South British, L 300; National, Lp00; Victoria, LI,000; Australian Alliance, LSOO ; Standard, L50O; New Zealand, L 900; making a total* of LB,OOO. As will be seen from the statement we have given above, Mr Flexman will be a very large loser by the fire. Over twenty-five persons will be thrownoutof employment for a considerable time; and this unfortunate occurrence will seriously affect m large portion of the inhabitants of the Kaikorai