BIG FIRE IN HASTINGS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8813, 15 May 1907, Page 2

BIG FIRE IN HASTINGS

Press Association. Ka pier, May 14. One of the most serious fires which lias taken place in Hastings for some time broke out about 8 o’clock this evening in Messrs Maddison and Co.’s store. There was a slight wind blowing and the water supply at first -was poor which enabled the fire to get a good hold. The large buildings occupied by Messrs Maddison and Co., Williams and Kettle, Ltd., and by Hatersou, Mossruan and Co., commission agents, and J. J. Faulkner, dentist, who have offices upstairs, was totally destroyed with exception of the seed dressing department of Williams and Kettle’s. The fire spread to the Bank of New Zealand and this too was destroyed, while S. Bonos’ Cafe, and E. Leigh’s chemist w'ero gutted. The strong rooms at both the Bank and Williams aud Kettle’s are intact. The fire has now' been got under. May 15. The fire was the most disastrous since 1893, when the same block aud a block on tho opposite side of the street was destroyed. The fire commenced at nine and was got under at midnight. The Bank of Now South Wales was in grave danger, hut the brigade confined the fire to the Cafe building. J. W. Gower, owner of tho Cafe, which was also occupied-by Leigh, chemist, was insured for £IOOO in the State Fire Insurance. Leigh held a risk of £350 in the London, Liverpool and Globe. Tiie Bank of New Zealand was insured for £BBS iu the New Zealand office. Other insurances are not yet ascertained. All buildings wore of wood aud will bo rebuilt iu brick.

8. Bone, Imperial Cafe, was iur.ured for £4OO iu tho Phoenix aud estimates his loss at £GOO. Faulkner, dentist, had £3OO over his stock iu the Liverpool London aud Globe. Halsc, manager of the Bank of Now Zealand, had an insurance of £2OO in the North British on his furniture. Paterson, Mossruan aud Co. were uninsured, aud lost £SO.