BLAZE AT OPOTIKI

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10298, 5 June 1919, Page 5

BLAZE AT OPOTIKI

Press)' Association. OPOTIKI, June 4. A fire started in the heart of the town at 3.30 this morning. The sisops owned by J. C. Arthur and occupied by H. E. Battle (bootmaker), J. Steptoe (saddler), ancL_the building owned and occupied by rl. Larmer (tobacconist) were completely destroyed. Insurances: Arthur's buildings, £IOO in the Sun office and £250 in the National/ ' Battle's stock, £IOO in the National office. Stop toe's stock, £SO in the Sun office. Larmer's buildings and stock, including three billiard tables, £boo in the Sun. The occupier* ar& all heavy losers. The brigade was promptly on the scene, and prevented the further spread of the tire, adjoiniag buildings being only slightly damaged. A large pliteglass window in the shop owned.hyi AV; .Oakes and occupied by C. Shalfoon, drapers, on the opposite side of Church street, was shattered. There is a. distinct bullet-hole in the remaining portion. The heat from the fire is rx-i considered to have been sufficient to break the window.

The police investigations into the damage to the window resulted in the discovery of a revolver bullet, a man's cap, and a glass bottle inside tho broken.!window. Evidently the revolver was v fired 'at the window at short range and the bottle was used to enlarge the hole. In the excitement the culprit apparently fell through the window into the shop and forgot to recover his cap and the bottle when making his' escape.