DISASTROUS FIRE AT GREZTOWN.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1544, 30 January 1879, Page 3

DISASTROUS FIRE AT GREZTOWN.

[By Telegraph. I Gkeytown, January 29. A great fire broke out here last night. It first burst out suddenly through the roof of Steele’s boarding house, which was soon in a blaze. It spread rapidly to the office of Mr P. J. Beetham, solicitor, on one side, and then to the stores of Casselberg and Co. on the other ; thence to the Police Station and Court-house, which were completely levelled, to the ground. The Post-office was the next nuilding in the block, but through the untiring exertions of the inhabitants it was saved, though on fire two or three times, the side of the building being much blackened. The postmaster, Mr Cowper, took the precaution of having everything removed from the office, including the telegraph i struments, fixtures, books, and safe. The buildings on the opposite side of the street were much exposed, and suffered considerably from the intense heat. Fortunately there was no wind, otherwise nothing could have] saved the t whole of the buildings from the Wesleyan Church to the Bank of New Zealand. The inhabitants mustered in great force and worked most zealously to save property, buckets and tubs of water being pas-ed from hand to hand from various wells. The telegraph lines were burned down, but as soon as d >nger was over the telegraphist, Mr Cowper. and Mr Shaw, the telegraphist from Carterton, with a party of men quickly restored the communication with Wellington by erecting wires temporarily and replacing the instruments in the telegraph office, thus saving interruption to the ordinary working of the lines North. The origin of the fire is at present unknown. The loss is estimated at £ 12,000. I he insurances are not yet ascertained. Casselberg and Co. are heavy losers. This is the second time this firm has been burned out, only recently having lost their store at Masterton. Later. Mr Casselberg’s loss is estimated at about .£BOOO. A large amount of the stock was saved, but greatly injured. The other premises destroyed were worth £2OOO. The loss will fall principally on Mrs Moles and the Government. Casselberg has secured Bidley’s store temporarily for business, opening their new stock from Masterton to-morrow. It is understood that Casselberg and Mrs Moles were fully insured. This is the third fire which has happened on the spot, the first being the “ Wairarapa Mercury’' plant the second a store belonging to Mr Phillips. The following insurances are reported:—Casselberg, in New Zealand— Stores, £500; stock, £1250. United Insurance l —Stores, £SOO. Victoria —Stock, £SOO. Imperial—Stores, £250; stock, £250. South British —Stock, £SOO.