OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 15, 15 April 1867, Page 86

OTAGO.

GREAT EIRE IN DUNEDIN.—LOSS ESTIMATED AT £40,000. (from the New Zealand Advertiser.) Dunedin, April 4, 6*35 p.m. A fearful fire broke out on Tuesday night, about half-paßt eleveu o’clock iu the premises of Mr Wilson, ironmonger, Princessstreet North. . The following houses have been totally destroyed : Harding’s Octagon Hotel; Day and Co., timber yard ; Law, Somner and Co., seedsmen; A. and T. Burtt, plumbers ; M'Niel Simpson, butcher ; G. R. West, music-seller .; Garret & Co., coach factory, Herbert Haynes and Co., drapers; Paterson and M’Leod, grocers; James de Jago, photographer; Sortegen and Carr, tailors; J. Reid, chemist; Zierck’s fancy warehouse ; Theatre Royal, Criterion Hotel ; S. H. Johnston, plumber ; a dwelling house adjoining the hotel on the opposite side of Princess-street; E. Begg, musicseller ; Hamilton and Watson, iurniture dealers; Scanlan Brothers, oil warehouse; Gregg and Co., coffee dealers ; Schnack, hair-dresser; W« Sinclair, tailor; J. R. Crawford, surgeon; P. Tofield, watchmaker.

Tbs total estimated loss by the fire is about £40,000, of which only about £21,000 is insured. Several were not insured. The embers are still burning. Tenders have been called for by some for the erection of new buildings. The inquest is now. being held, audit not expected to close to-day. Three wi:2icßseß have befen examined, and all agree as to a great and unexpected light having been observed in Wilson’s back shop, suddenly, before the fire broke out. Law*, Somner and Co. insured on the day of the fire for an extra £I,OOO. Jago loses over £2,000. He could not effect an insurance, Wilkie has lost considerably. A large quantity of goods have disappeared in a most mysterious manner. The enquiry, which commenced at four p.m., has been adjourned until to-morrow. Tiie following are the losses by the Insurance Companies:— Royal ... £4IOO Liverpool and Loudon ... 4100 New Zealand ... 3050 Australasian ... • 2750 Victoria ... 8000 Otago ... 1550 • Imperial ... 1000 London and Lancashire ... 500 Northern 600 Australian Alliance ... 600

April 5, 6*lo p.m. The enquiry into the origin of the late fire was resumed at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Wilson was subjected to a long and searching examination, and the case looks serious against him. The enquiry was again adjourned till half-past 7 this evening. There are only two witnesses to be examined.