A BIG BLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1930, Page 3

A BIG BLAZE

IN FLOUR MILL,

v ßy Telegraph--Per Press Association.'

BLENHEIM, September 30

One of the most spectacular conflagrations seen in this district for years occurred when an old fl ourniill at Spring Creek, owned by Mrs ReeO Redwood, was totally destroyed by fire, along with a valuable waterdriven electric lighting plant.

The mill was a big tall wooden structure. It was situated near the Redwood’s Homestead on the banks of Spring Creek, and a few hundred yards from, the township, The mill was first, established some sixty years ago, and it was one of the first flour-

mills in Maryborough. As the years passed and-'the structure was improved, and enlarged, it became a Well-known landmark. " This morning it was only a heap of ashes, and twisted iron, and machinery, tire fire having made absolutely a clean sweep.

The mill started its life as a, stone flour mill, but about 45 years ago it was converted into a roller mill; and it was • capable of producing five' bags of hour per hour, the machinery being driven by .a hugh waterwheel generator of some 50 horse-power. Since the dentil of Mr Redwood, some 11 or 12 years ago, the mill had .been idle, •but the machinery had not been dismantled. The budding itself, though affected by decay to a certain extent, was always noted foi; its immensely strong ’constructioil, its great tot.lra beams and uprjghts being timbers of a class [that is rarely seen in these days.

There is no evidence,as to how the fire began. Mrs Redwood returned from town about 10.30 o’clock last night, and passed right beside the mill in drjving into the homestead, and she noticed nothing amiss; hu.t about a quarter of an hour later, Air Bert Quintrell, who is employed on the property, discovered flames which were just threatening through the roof, as he was walking from the homestead to bis'wh are across the road. The mill was insured for £9OO and the machinery, which was valued by the owner at £3OOO, was covered for £looo,' both of the amounts being in the Northern Office. So far. as is known, the domestic electric, lighting plant was not insured. [ ~" j At about ll! p.m., when the fife was at jts height, the. electric j power lines which pass within half a chain of the mill, were burned through. This resulted in the automatic safety switches .being brought into operation, right,,up tQj.tlie headworks ,at Walhopai, . and the-whole area served by the scheme was, plunged/into darkness. Apart from the mill machinery, the only contents of the building were a quantity- of mottor-car builders’ pat tenus and tools, belonging to Mr IV. Birch, a former Blenheim garage proprietor, who is now a resident in Gisborne.;; Mr :Birch' stored this' property in • the deserted mill • some, years ago, and it is not ,known if it ( is insured.