FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 56, 24 July 1912, Page 5

FIRES.

CONFLAGRATION AT FOXTON. By Telegraph —Press Association. Palmerston N., Tuesday. The third disastrous lire in two months visited Foxton just after midnight, when the following buildings were v destroyed:—Ball, tobacconist and billiard I room. Simmond's cycle shop, C. J. G older and Sons, jewellers, Mrs. M. Parkes, stationer, R. Parkes, jeweller, R. Moore, solicitor, Mrs. Nye, stationer (temporary premises), T. Betty, bootmaker (temporary premises), E. Wanklyn, commission agent, Walls, baker, Miss Wanklyn, fruiterer, and G. H. Stiles, draper.

The fire commenced in the billiard room of Ball, and despite the -efforts of a bucket brigade swept the whole block of wooden buildings on the eastern side of the street. They were all one-storev buildings. The outside wall of Stiles' large shop was of corrugated iron, which largely assisted in preventing the Are spreading. The Presbyterian Church, an old wooden building, with shingle roof, was situated 40 feet awav. Had the church gone nothing could -have saved the police station, residence, and courthouse, and probably the new Town Hall. Whyte's Hotel was next to Ball's, where the fire started, but the south-easterly wind drove the flames in the opposite direction. The buildings were owned by Mrs. Thynne, Mrs. Austin, and G. 11. Stiles. Mrs. Nve and Betty were burned out in the previous big fire, and were occupying temporary premises. A quantity of goods was salvaged by the large crowd of people. A coincidence in connection with the conflagration was that Superintendent Barnard', of the Palmerston Fire Brigade, was in Fexton yesterday submitting a scheme to the Borough Council for fire prevention. Tile fire burned itself out about 2.30. The insurances are not yet available. The same block was burned in 1903.

If your property is not insured, call at or ring up the United Insurance Company, Ltd.. Devon Street; telephone 108. \Vebster Bros., district agents. Insurances effected on the most favorable terms.—Adyt.