Fires.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1897, Page 2

Fires.

A destructive fire occurred at Waihi at 3 a.m. on Saturday, 11 buildings being burned. The fire broke out in Miss Joll's ahop in the main street, and spread to Gibbons' large boardinghouse and destroyed the premises of Messrs Newdick, Tyrell and McLean, the Miners' Union , Messrs McLeay, Vugl4f Brothers, and Glasgow, and Mrs Mrs Donnelly. It was eventually stopped by erecting a wall of galvanised iron. A strong wind was blowing, and no water was procurable. The damage is estimated at £8000. . Knock's Hot Spring Hotel, Te Aroha, was burned down on Friday morning. A large number of lady boarders were in the hotel, but ali escaped safely. But for the hotel being detached, half the town must have gone, owing to the poor applii ances for the suppression of fires. Most of the boarders lost more or less of their effects. Messrs Hancock and Co., owners of the hotel, were insured for £1600 in the Imperial office. The furniture was insured for £250 in the United. Mr Knock, the licensee was uninsured, and he has lost everthing belonging to him. On Sunday a terrible fire oocurred in Melbourne, in which, property to the value of a million and a half was destroyod. Lightning is said to be the canse of the outbreak, and 2000 hands have been thrown out of employment.