EARLY MORNING FIRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4678, 24 March 1924, Page 2

EARLY MORNING FIRE.

SOLICITOR’S OFFICE DESTROYED.

Shortly after 1.30 o’clock yesterday morning the office owned and occupied by Mr J. L. Hanna, Normanby Road, Paeroa, was destroyed by fire. The alarm was given by two young mon named McAneny and R. Turner, who were passing along the Street. The alarm was promptly responded to by '.he fire brigade, under Captain W. J. Moore, alid no time yas lost in coupling two leads of hose on to the main. A splendid pressure of water was obtained, and in loss than fifteen minutes the fire was under control, but not before the building was badly gutted. The scat of the fire appeared to be in the centre of the building, and through the efforts of the brigade the front portion of the office was not greatly damaged by fire, but suffered considerably by smoke and water. Willing hands were quickly on the scene, and, forcing am entrance, were successful in moving some effects, including a typewriter. The origin of the fire is not known. Mr Hanna visited the office about 6 o’clock on Saturday evening for the purpose of getting a newspaper, and everything then was apparently safe. It is thought that the fire was smould-. ering for some time before it burst into Hames, as several people passed the building after midnight but noticed nothing unusual. Included in the furniture and effects destroyed was a valuable collection of law books which had been collected by Mr Hanna over a num--her of years. It is stated that the. insurances were £6OO on the office furniture and books in the Victoria Insurance Company, and £125 on the building in the New Zealand Office.

The building referred to was a very old one, having ,been erected some fifty-odd years ago. Its original loca--tion was on the present site of the Bank of New Zealand, and was owned and occupied by Mr J. McComble, mining engineer, now of Auckland. It is understood that after the premises were vacated by Mr McComble the building was occupied temporarily by the Bank of. New Zealand. New premises were built for the Bank on the site of Battson’s shop, and the old» office was moved over to the site on which the remains now stand.