FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 16 March 1911, Page 5

FIRES.

HOUSE DESTROYED AT BULLS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. About 4 p.m. to-day, while Mr. John Stevens, late M.P. for Rangitikei, was enjoying a cigar upon the verandah of his residence, Somerset House, at Bulls, and his daughters Miss Ethel and Nurse Hilda Stevens (recently arrived from England), were within, Mr. Stevens noticed a smell of burning, and it was discovered that one of the upstairs rooms was on fire. All that could be saved was a piano and couch from tho drawing room, which opened on the verandah, and some books and papers. It is feared that Mr. Stevens' valuable collections of old documents and papers on native and die 'ct history have been wholly destroyed. All personal effects were destroyed. The building was a fine one, originally erected 40 years ago by John Heaton, and for years the finest residence in the district. Mr. Stevens acquired the property some thirty years ago, and recently added to it. The insurances are £OOO on the building, and £3OO on the furniture.