Fire at Sanson.

Manawatu Herald, 24 January 1895, Page 2

Fire at Sanson.

■■■■ ' 1 .-— - — ♦ ' ' ■ • ;._ Late-on Tjietd&y night* or a£ any early bour on Wednesday morning, the Ma-nawatu County Council. ttfSfce at Sanson was burnt to the ground, Ueaving only the chimnies standing. The cause of the fire is at present shrouded in mystery, as the office was unoccupied all the day, and Mr Cox, the County Clerk, only entered it for a few minutes after the tram arrived from the Foxton races, and was accompanied by Mr J. G. Wilson. The big safe protected the property entrusted to it very well, as on being forced open in the morning, the books and papers were found all sound, but a little damaged. Owing to the banks in Foxton being closed on Tuesday, the money that would ham, under ordinary circumstances have been banked that day, had to be retained at Sanson, to be forwarded on the following day. As these cheques and notes totalled nearly £200, it is fortunate to be able to report they were found undefaced. The fire when first seen had got too strong a hold of the building for any effort to be of service. We understand that two gentlemen driving through from Palmerston were the first who noticed the building being on fire, and Mr Cox was early on the I scene. The building was insured for £800. Fortunately no wind was blowing or the Junction Hotel, the oorner store and Bowator's blacksmith shop

must have gone. To shoW how little wind there was we tnay mention that oh the footpath in frblit of the burnt building there is a large telegraph pole, and it was only slightly charred at the top. When the smaller, the old Road Board safe* was opened the contents Were fonnd to be all burnt. It contained the Rate Book, Tram Account book, and the valuations which Mr Cox had in hand. This will cause serious inconvefciende to the Council and a hfeaVy loss to Mr Cox, who Was making the valuation under contract. lii is supposed that the fire started at the back of the building, near were the safe 9 stood. The old. itangitikei Cavalry lose their records and papers and some helmets which were stored in the building. The building was insured for £300.