BIG BLAZE AT CARTERTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3706, 20 October 1927, Page 3

BIG BLAZE AT CARTERTON.

THREE BUILDINGS DESTROYED

Carterton, October 18,

A disastrous fire occurred at Carterton at about 1.55 a.m. to-day, when three wooden buildings in Belvedere, St., including the printing plant and office of the “Wairarapo Daily News,” were destroyed. An easterly wind was blowing and when discovered the flames had gained a hold of the centre building, belonging to Mr H. Hawlin, and used as a garage, as well a(3 the newspaper office, so it was difficult to determine exactly where the outbreak originated. A two-storey adjoining wooden building, belonging to Mr R. W. Roydhouse, and occupied by a tenant, was also demolished, and the office of the Carterton Trust and Agency Co. Ltd., across the street, caught alight on several occasions,, but’the good work of the fire brigade under difficulties saved this building. The block of buildings destroyed was among the early landmai’ks of the town, having been remodelled as time went on. Nothing was saved from the small garage, which included three cars, and the fine printing plant of the newspaper offilce was reduced to debris. Messrs Roydhouse and Sons, proprietors of the “Daily News” are heavy losers, as the insurances were only £2,220 on the plant and £4OO on the building. Hautin’s garage was insured, but the figures are not yet available. The two-storey structure formerly the “Observer” office, was covered with a policy for £SOO.