THE DANNEVIRKE FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1917, Page 5

THE DANNEVIRKE FIRE.

A. SCENE OF RUINS.

RELIEF FUND STARTED. By. Telegraph.—'Press Association* Dannevirke, Oct. 23. ' Dannevirke is busy to-day contemplat* ing the scone of yesterday'B disastrous blajte. Little remains to add to the message previously sent. The debris burned all nigh!;. but the brigade confined the fire to the area over which the flumes had ravenously swept and, despite a gale, there was no further spread. Nothing remains of what was yesterday morning the centre of the town but bare brick walls, tottering chimneys, twisted galvanised iron and charred sticks. A track was cut right through the centre of the town on an angle, the area devastated comprising about two or three acres. Steps are being takep by the Mayor, the chairman of the Dannevirke County Council, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. O. Hunter, M.P., to organise relief for sufferers, and a special appeal is being made to old Dannevirke residents' throughout the country to rally in aid of the sufferers.

Most of the representatives of the insurance companies are on the scene of the disaster.

Three pilferers of salvage appeared in court to-day; two were fined £lO each, and one £5, in default 14 days' imprisonment.

DETAILS OP LOSSES,

Dftnnevirke. Last, Niglf. The fire ruins are still smouldering, hut there is little, fear of a recßudescence of the outbreak. / A meeting convened by the Mayor wan held this afternoon, to consider what steps should be taken for the relief of the position created by the Are. Over £4OO was subscribed in the room, Messrs G. Hunter, M.P., Jonathan Holden, and P. G. Cowper heading the lißt with donations nf £IOO each.

There has been no exaggeration about reports previously issued, and losses are practically impossible to estimate oil the present prices of stock and coat of rebuilding. The Dftnnevirke Co-op. Association's stock, valued at £30,000 cost price, wa* insured for £25,000, while the building also involves a heavy loss to the owners. Andrews' Hotel was valued at '£lß,ooo, and the furniture and effects at £46o<*. The building was insured for £7710, and the effects for £3225. The Masonic Hotel building was insured for £22:"0, but the loss will he considerably above thai amount. The licensee (Mr. Ross) estimates the. loss, above insurance, on stock and effects,. at about £2OOO. .- McCallum, jeweller, suffers a total' loss of about £1200; B. 0. Thomsen, tobacconist, £500; T. J. Flynn, bootmaker £ood. A. C. Webber, bookseller; building insured for about £700; stock for £IOOO, valued at £23(10. Rose, Ltd., buildings valued at about £2OOO were not insured. .Tas. Neaglc, saddler and motor agent, was a heavy loser. Drummond and Hoddcr, ironmonger.?; building insured for £1000; stock valued at £3OOO, covered by £ISOO. Ciiiett and Son, stock and machinery valued at between £7OOO and .£BOOO, will be heavy losers. A. H. Hill, tobacconist; building valued at £U)00, but insured for only £175. Armstrong and Morrison; building' valued at £IOOO and insured for £500; stock worth £OSOO. insured for £3500". L. P. Bartlett. bootmaker; stock worth £2OOO, insured for £577. Charles Clarke, butcher, a lo9s of about £BOO, G. 'P. Engelbretsen, draper; stock injured for £800; valued at £2500. He has also lost personal effects valued at . £250. These are tho principal losses, but there are many more minor sums, which make up a formidable list. Many messages of sympathy have been received by the sufferers, many of whom are making temporary arrangements to carry on. ,