DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TAURANGA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2235, 1 June 1881, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TAURANGA.

Obbbb ASSOCIATION TBIHOBAM.] TAURANGA, June 1. A great fire occurred here last night. It commenced at eight o'clook in Mr Lee's ■hop, and with a southerly breeze it quickly spread both ways. In two hours it had cleared a whole blook of buildings between Harrington and Hamilton streets. When Menzies' Hotel was all on fire, the flames flew over to the other side of Harrington street, and caught Mr Ohadwiok's shop, and from there it swept over Mr Jordan's large grain stores, and staoks of Hobarton palings, and the Mechanics' Institute and Government Buildings had a narrow escape, as it was enveloped in sparks and burning material. The coals were set on fire in the shed. The buildings burnt down are Messrs Rhodes and MeKenny's, Mrs Fielding's, Messrs Bona's, liee's, Bills', Bunas', and the premises of Menzie's Hotel, the "Bay of Plenty Times," Messrs Wrigley, Ghadwiak, Jordans', and the Meohanio's Institute. The total loss is about £30,000, of wbioh very little is insured. No fire brigade was on hand. The Maoris, who are in great force here, worked splendidly in trying to save all the goods. Later. When the fire broke out the flames soon enveloped the whole front of the building, making it impossible to do anything to check the progress of the flames. The fire spread so rapidly that the occupants adjoining the premises had little time to save anything. Wrigley's grain store and stable were saved. The places destroyed are— Rhodes' store and cook shop, MeKenny's boarding house, Fielding's shop, Mr Bonnor's and Mr Bllia' boot shop, and Mr Burrow's Stationery depot, also several small dwelling-houses. The "Bay of Plenty Times" have taken new offices in Spring street, and will stop only one issue, publishing on Saturday. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed that akerosinelamp was left burning in the building, and exploded or set fire to some goods hanging above. Mr Wrigley, who was uninsured, loses about £13,000. The complete insurances for the Tauranga fire are not yet known. The following is as nearly correct as possible :—»Union loss, £625 sett] it had risks amounting to a great deal more, but the remainder is reinsured. The Colonial had risks to the amount of £4200, but about £BOOO was reinsured. The Colonial risks are on the " Bay of Plenty Times," the store lately occupied by Jordan, Tauranga Hotel, Menzies, Burrows, and Lee's store. The National's nett loss is about £IOOO, although they have risks to the extent of £I7OO, which includes £7lO on Jordan's, £250 on Lee's, and £SO on Ellis'. The North British loss is £9OO on reinsurances from the Colonial. The Standard has reinsurances of £450 from the Colonial, £2OO from the Union. The Norwioh Union losses is £250 on Burrows'. The South British loses £SOO on Lee's, and £250 on Jordan's property. The New Zealand and Royal Insurance Companies' losses are not yet known.