Big Fire in Wellington.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 115, 20 April 1885, Page 3

Big Fire m Wellington.

TE AEO HOUSE BUKNED DOWN.

INSURANCES AMOUNT TO £15,000.

(UNTTKD PREPB ASSOCIATION.! "Wellington, April 19. A most serious conflagration broke out last night, which resulted m the total destruction of James Smith's "Te Aro House." This establishment was one of the largest draper's and clothier's businesses m town. About six o'clock last night one of the assistants, m lighting the gas m the window, accidentally set fire to some fabrics, which speedily spread, and resisted all efforts to extinguish them. Immediately the flames were found to have a firm 'hold all the shutters were dropped to prevent the draft. The Fre Brigade were on the snot without delay, but not m sufficient time to prevent the destruction of the building. It was raining heavily at the time, and what stock was removed, if not damaged by water inside the building, was destroyed by the train. This Day. The following are the correct insurances on the Te Aro House and stock as far as at present can be ascertained : — South British, £ 1125 ; Colonial, £1000 ; National. £500 ; New Zealand, £1500 ; Liverpool, London, and Globe, £1000; Northern, £1500 ; United, £250 ; Union, £500 ; North British. £500 ; Hauseatic, £125; Victoria, £500; Fire Insurance Association, £500 ; Norwich, £500 ; Aurtraijan Mercantile, £750; Sun, £500; Hamburg Madsrburgh, £500 ; Gxiardinn, £1500 ; Equitable, £750 ; London Office (name unknown), £1000 ; total, £14,500.