GREAT FIRE AT GISBORNE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1058, 17 November 1877, Page 3

GREAT FIRE AT GISBORNE.

[By Telegraph.] Gisborne, November 6. A disastrous fire took place this morning, destroying a vast amount of valuable property. It arose first at 11.30 in a building in course of erection in the rear of the Masonic Hotel stables. Everything in the township was as dry as tinder, owing to long drought. The flames caught the Masonic stables, and a small house adjoining occupied by Stevenson. A large crowd was soon on the spot, and the stables were saved. Meantime sparks blew over Teat and Co.’s shop, igniting the Masonic Hotel, the finest hotel in Gisborne. It was soon a mass of _ flames, with the long range of offices adjoining, and the “ Standard” newspaper office, all of which were speedily burnt to the ground. The “Herald” office was in great danger for some time, also a private residence at the back. Yolunteers with buckets of water succeeded in saving this corner. There was a good deal of water got from pumps and wells in the vicinity, with plenty of buckets and axes, and willing volunteers, but there was a total absence of fire-extinguishing appliances. The house in'course of erection where tbe fire originated was the property of Stevenson. The mischief was done in an incredibly short time. The whole street is now strewn with billiard tables, hotel furniture, and every description of valuables. Mr W. F. Crawford, the Mayor, has sworn in twenty-five special constables for the purpose of watching the embers and guarding against a fresh outbreak. Most of the property was insured. The loss is roughly estimated at £IO,OOO. LATER PARTICULARS. The buildings destroyed were Stevenson’s new house of four rooms, the Masonic Hotel, Rogan’s offices, Native Lands Court offices, Barsdell’s hair-dresser, Siddons’s grocer, Schultz’s private house, Edwards’s private house, John Dick’s blacksmith’s shop. The New Zealand Insurance Company’s loss is £4OO on the “Standard” newspaper office, £3OO on private buildings, £250 on Siddons’s store, and [£lsoo on the Masonic Hotel, The stock and furniture of the hotel were also insured for an additional £I4OO. The Masonic Hotel was also insured in the Yictoria Company for £SOO, in the Standard for £3OO, and in the National for £SOO. The Standard Company’s loss is about £2OOO. The South British loss is £BOO on a portion of the Masonic Hotel buildings.