GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON. EIGHT SHOPS DESTROYED. (BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 135, 2 January 1886, Page 5

GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON. EIGHT SHOPS DESTROYED. (BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Welling roN, Dec. 29. The most disastrous fire which has occurred here sipce the Opera House fire broke out this morning. The alarm was given about 7.45, when Myers's picture-frame manufacturer's shop in Lambton Quay was discovered to be on fire, but the origin of the conflagration is unknown. The Fire Brigade were soon on the spot, but appeared unable to cope with the task before them, and as a consequence, the tire Bpread rapidly to Smart's oyster saloon and Mrs Nelson's fruit shop on either side, which were soon levelled to the ground. The flames were still gaining on the Brigade, and Aldous's tobacconist shop, Spiller's music shop, Farmer's large furniture warehouse, the Wellington Meat Co.'s butcher shop, and Mrs Paul's milliner shop were completely destroyed. The lire also destroyed the stables of the Moat Company, and then extended to some cottages in a small lane running off Woodward Street, and all these were destroyed, but tho occupants are not yet known. Hayes's plumber's shop, Arrow Smith's, fruiterer, and the Branch Hotel had very narrow escapes. Sparks were carried a long distance, and the Occidental Hotel^ Dr. Henry's house, and tht Central Club were on fire at one time, bufc were caved with some difficulty.

Losses and Insurances. The fallowing are the insurances an far as can bo ascertained : — Farmer's shop, £1,000 in the South British, reinsured for £500 in the Hanseatic and £150 in the Standard; Aldon, Smart, and JS Teil and Son's shop 3, £300 in the South British, reinsured for £75 in the Hanseatic and £500 in the London, Liverpool, and Globe; Paul's shop, £250 in the Norwich Union and £250 in the Victoria ; Neilson's £150 in the Standard, and £250 in the Victoria ; Farmer's, £250 in the Victoria; Neilaon and Myers, £200 in the Colonial; Branch Hotel, £500 on stock (about £50 damage) in the Colonial; Hayes (slight damage to stock), £500 in the Colonial, £500 in the Standard, and £500 in the ( iverpool, London, and Globe. Thomas's produce store, some distance away, took fire from the sparks, and 50 or 60 bags of grain were destroyed. These premises were insured in the Standard for £400. The National office have a lien of about £1.500, but it is not known how it is divided.