Fires

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 201, 24 March 1905, Page 2

Fires

A HOUSE DEMOLISHED AT OPARAU. The lengthened spall ot dr, weather experienced lately has enabled the settlers of the district to procure good burns, bat we believe that some of them have been ton severe. Amunfl Oparau the fires have b«*n c*u ing anxiety, having spread to soma old ole&riogs and grass, thereby doing much uatnage, and in some instances houses have been threatened. * On Sunday night last the residence ot Mr W. Davie, at Opurau, was burned io the ground, the conflsgration being canted toy the fire spreading from some stamps that were burning near by. Eakly on Saturday morning Mr W. Davis lit some stumps in the garden adjniniug the house, and a few hours later the grass ignited, the ho’ve then being only saved with great diffi oulty. Ou Saturday night Mr D<vis slept in the houee, and left on Sunday morning, thinking the fires were out. The embera must have been smoldering, for on his brother visiting the ’’ce on Monday morning he found it in ashes. Tbe building (which was formerly owned by Mr Chamberlain) was valued at £220. Whilst stored therein was £BO worth of grass seed, arid also a lot of personal property which Mr Davis values it. over £lOO. The size of the house was 4Qft x2oft., containing seven Yootns, and was recognised as one of the best houses in the Mr Davis’ loss thus being a severe one. The insurance on the building wag only £l5O, the risk being taken by the South British Insurance Company, Messrs Jonathan Ltd. being bhe local agents.