DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT GISBORNE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5197, 17 November 1877, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT GISBORNE.

BY TELEGRAPH. Gisborne, Friday. A destructive fire took place this morning, and destroyed a vast amount of valuable proin course of erection at the rear of the Masonic Hotel, stables. Everything in the township was as dry as tinder, owing to the long drought. The flames caught the Masonic stables, and a small;house adjoining; occupied by Mr. Stevenson. A large crowd was soon on the spot. The stables were saved, but in the meantime sparks blew over Feat and Co.’s shop, igniting the Masonic Hotel, the finest hotel in Gisborne, which was soon a mass of flames, with a long range of offices adjoining, and the Standard newspaper office, all of which were speedily burnt to the ground.. The Eerald office was in great danger for some time, and also a private residence at the hack. Volunteers with buckets of water succeeded in saving this corner. A good deal of water was obtained from pumps and wells in the vicinity, and there were plenty of buckets and axes and willing volunteers, but there was a total absence of fire-extinguishing appliances. The house in course of erection where the fire originated was the property of Mr. Stevenson. The mischief was done in an incredibly short time. The whole street is now strewed with billiard-tables, hotel furniture, chairs, and every de cription of valuables. Mr. W. F. Crawford, the Mayor, has sworn in twentyfive special constables for the purpose of watching the embers and guarding against a fresh outbreak. Most of the property was insured. The loss is roughly estimated at £IO,OOO. The buildings destroyed were:—Stevenson’s new house, four rooms; Masonic Hotel, Judge Eogan's offices, and the Native Lands Court offices, Barsdell’s the hairdresser, Siddons’, grocer; Schultee’s, private house, Edwards’ private house, and John Dick’s blacksmith shop. The New Zealand Insurance Company’s loss is £4OO on the Standard newspaper office, £3OO on private buildings, £225 on Siddons’ store, and £ISOO on the’Masonic Hotel; The stock and furniture of the hotel were also insured for an additional £1400.' The Masonic Hotel is also insured in the Victoria Insurance Company for £SOO, and also in the Standard Insurance Company for £3OO, and in the National Insurance Company .for £SOO. .: The Standard Insurance Company’s loss is about £2OOO. The South British Insurance Company’s loss is £BOO on a portion of the Masonic Hotel buildings. . -