DESTRUCTION OF THE DUNEDIN TRAMWAY PLANT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2409, 6 December 1880, Page 2

DESTRUCTION OF THE DUNEDIN TRAMWAY PLANT.

[By Telegraph.] Dunedin. Dec. 5. One of the most disastrous fires that ever occurred in Dunedin broke out about four o’clock this morning in a large wooden building on the reclaimed land, used as an engine and tramway shed by Mr David Proudfoot. It is not known how the fire originated. Two men were on the premises at the time cleaning engines, and so quickly did the flames spread that they had barely time to escape. The building was completely destroyed, and also thirty-three tramcars, seven engines, and an immense quantity of oats. Only three cars are left, and cable messages will be sent to America to-morrow for others. More are on the way here, and every effort will be made to keep up traffic. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Mr Proudfoot says he is insured for £14,000, and he estimates his loss at £7OOO above this without reckoning the loss by suspension of traffic. The insurances were: —Stock—New Zealand £2000; Victoria, £ISOO ard, £SOO, Norwich' Union, £1000; Transatlantic, £IOOO ; Australian Alliance, £3OO ; National, £IOOO ; Hamurg, £IOOO ; Northern, £2,500; South British, £IOOO. Building—Northern,, £SOO, Transatlantic, £SOO, Hamburg, £SOO. Oats —Northern, £3OO.