FIRES AT ASHBURTON.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 9038, 30 December 1907, Page 5

FIRES AT ASHBURTON.

Press Association. Ashburton, Last Night. Another cl isastrous fire occurred on Saturday night, when the drapery establishment of Robert Alcorn was completely destroyed. The building was an old wooden one of two storeys. The brigade was early on the scene and worked hard, but could do little to check the flames with their inadequate appliances—an engine which cakes fifteen minutes to get up steam and an insufficient water supply. The insurance on Alcorn’s drapery stock was £IBOO in the Standard office. Alcorn estimates his loss at £IOOO over the insurance. The building was insured in the South British for £3OO. To-day, at 1 o’clock, a fire was discovered in the Borough Council’s implement shed, which is situated immediately at the rear of the fire brigade station. The shed was completely destroyed, also three drays belonging to the Council. There is no clue as to the origin of the fires, but there is an uneasy feeling in the community, as during the past month there have been seven fires. A scheme for a high-pressure water supply was defeated at a poll taken in October last.