The Disastrous Fire in Palmerston North.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 218, 15 March 1895, Page 2

The Disastrous Fire in Palmerston North.

j ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. ' Shortly after two o'clock yesterday , morning a fire was discovered in the '• rear of the Theatre. Royal. The nightwatchman was the first to see the blaze, and he at once gave the alarm. In a '■ very short space of time a stream of [ water was playing direct on to the fire ; from the inside of the Theatre, but the ' flames spread so rapidly that the fire- ' men had to retreat and fight its advance I, from the outside of the building. Fire- ; men and citizens alike vied with each other in their endeavors to stop the pro--1 gress of the fire. The united efforts of • the brigade with all the available hose ■ in use could not save the Theatre, which was burnt to the ground. The adjoini ing building was completely gutted. 3 Carmody's Central Hotel, which was 3 considerably scorched, and Bryant's > butcher's shop on the other side were 't saved from destruction. Several times [ both buildings caught iire, but in every . case the timely application of a stream t of water put an end to the danger. The Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company are • very heavy losers by the fire. Their . loss is estimated at fully i>looo, the i music, wardrobe, and scenery representing the accumulation of over fourteen years, and some it is impossible to re- ! place. The Theatre Royal was occu- \ pied by Wood and Wishart (watch- [ makers), J. F. Donnelly (hairdresser and ! tobacconist), B. Percival (painter), W. \ Percival (music teacher), James Mowlem ' (land and financial agent), and J. Linton ' (land and financial agent). Part of Don- ; I nelly's and Wood and Wishart's stock < was saved, but both suffer a very great ; J loss. The adjoining building, owned by | Mr Kerslake, was partly occupied by Mr ! Harper, agent for the Singer Sewing \ Machine Company. Some of this stock ! was also destroyed. ' Messrs Wood and Wishart, Percival — father and son, J. Mowlem, and the , • Singer Machine Company, were all uninsured, and they will be considerable ] i losers. [ Mr Donnelly's stock is insured in the < Imperial for £40. Most of the stock was I saved, but it was more or less damaged, i It is stated that overtures have been ' i made to Mr James Linton with regard ■ to forming a company with the object of erecting a large Opera House. Mr Lini ton is favorably disposed towards the i proposal, and is prepared to become a large shareholder in the proposed com- . pany. It is probable that a definite understanding will be arrived at within | a few days. — Standard.