FIRE AT WAITARA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 190, 21 November 1910, Page 5

FIRE AT WAITARA

in;.; drapery stoke destroyed. SOLICITOR'S OFFICE GUTTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Waitara, Last Night. At 3.20 this morning a lire was discovered in the two-storeyed premises occupied by Messrs Rennie and Co., drapers, kite Mr. W.. P. Snell. The building was an old one. but fairly commodious, and full of light stock. The flames spread rapidly. The Fire Brigade found an excellent pressure from the recently-constructed water suppjy, and they had a tough but successful fight to save Messrs Joll Bros.' large general store opposite. Rennie's place was totally destroyed, nothing being saved. The office of Mr. W. Wilkes, solicitor, behind, was gutted. The buildings belonged to Mr. Snell. The draper's shop was insured for £IOOO, but the solicitor's office was not insured. Messrs Rennie ami Co.'s stock was insured for £ISOO, all in the South British.

The origin of the fire is an absolute mysterv. Mr. Rennie estimates his loss at £ISOO.

THE BENEFIT OF THE WATER SUPPLY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). Waitara, Last Night. Snell's buildings, occupied by Messrs Rennie and Co., drapers, and Mr. Wilkes, solicitor, were destroyed by fire about 3 o'clock this morning. The alarm was first given by a Mr. Bond. The fire had a good hold 'when the Brigade came, and the buildings, being very old, and full of flame, there was no chance of saving them, but the Brigade did excellent service under Captain Ford. There was a plentiful supply and good pressure of water, which saved Messrs Joll's building opposite, and prevented the destruction of Mrs. Townsend's and Hutchison's properties adjoining. Captain Ford said the pressure was equal to that of New Plymouth. The Brigade worked hard, and their efforts were rewarded by confining the fire to the shop. Mr. Rennie left the shop about ten o'clock on Saturday night, and all was safe then. The cause of the fire is a 1 mystery. It broke out in the office, at the rear, The shop wfts a building of two storeys, and was very old. All the stock was completely destroyed. One building was insured fqr £IOOO, but there was no insurance on the other. Rennie's stock was insured for £ISOO. J Both Mr. Rennie and Mr. Wilkes are very considerable losers, Mr. Rennie probably to the extent of £IOOO to £ISOO. Snell's second building was uninsured. Wilkes' books and papers, which were all saved, were insured. Mr. Snell intends *e-building immediately. The telegraph wires were burned, but are now repaired temporarily. An inspection of the reservoir at the headworks at six o'clock, while the fire was still being played on, showed the water as being less than six inches from the top, and it was again making to the normal level, although the hose was used for more than half an hour afterwards, showing the scheme is perfectly satisfactory. But for the water supply, there was a fair chance of a large portion of the main block going, the shops on each side of the road showing scorching.

Detective Boddam visited the scene of the fire during the day. It appears that Mr. Rennie and his sister were the last to leave the building on Saturday night. As far he knew, there were no matches used in the place that night, and none were kept on the premises, which were lighted by electricity throughout.

If your property is not insured call at or ring up the United Insurance Company, Ltd., Devon-street. Telephone 198. Webster Bros., district agents. Insurances effected on the most favorable terms.—Advt.