DAMAGE BY FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 January 1931, Page 7

DAMAGE BY FIRE

BLAZE AT GISBORNE

GARRISON HALL DESTROYED (By Telegraph—Press Association) GISBORNE, This Day. A spectacular fire shortly after midnight destroyed the Garrison Hall, one of the largest single-span wooden buildings in the Dominion. Fanned by a fierce north-westerly the file quickly consumed the building. A large stock of ammunition stored in the hall ignited, creating a merry fusilade.

Fireman Anderson sustained painful bums on the hands from a sudden burst of flame. The work of the brigade was hopeless from the outset so far as the ball was concerned, and was mainly directed to saving adjacent buildings which were showered with sparks. Since the suspension of defence activities the hall has been used for miniature golf and was occupied, as usual, till 11 o’clock last night. Primarily the hall was the depot for military stores, and contained a large quantity of uniforms, rifles, etc., handed in by the disbanded territorials, in addition to six machine guns and much camping gear. The building and Defence Department contents were insured in the Yorkshire office for £BOOO.

lhe total value of Garrison Hall and the contents was assessed at £10,500. lhe insurances were held by the following offices: Sun, £1500; Standard 07con ’ British, £500; Yorkshire, £3580. The insurances of Kerridge’s miniature golf plant is unknown.