BIG FIRE AT WAIHI.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 5

BIG FIRE AT WAIHI.

HEAVY LOSSES. STRENUOUS FIGHT WITH THE FLAMES. Waihi, March 23. The most destructive tire in Waihi for the.past sixteen or seventeen years occurred abuot 3 o'clock this morning, the premises destroyed being those of HcthLtd., drainers; Hague and Smith, Ltd., ironmongers and house furnishers; and the Stirling Boardinghouse and garage, while the premises of R J- Say, butcher, and other premises in the vicinity suffered more or less through fire and water. The properties destroyed were in the business centre in .Seddon street, and involved losses representing several thousands of pounds. Hetherington's were one of two drapery linns in the town, and carried stock valued at about £OOOO, which; together with a building worth about £2OOO, was completely demolished, while Hague and Smith's building and stock were also a total loss, the building being valued at £IOOO and the stock at between £4OOO and £SOOO. The Stirling Boajding'hou*e, which was formerly an hotel, contained about forty rooms, and was not covered by insurance, the companies having dropped all policies held on hotel premises when no license was carried in Ohinemuri some ten years ago. The premises were owned by -Mr J. L. Stevens, who had an insurance of £loo on the garage, which was formerly used as a livery stable.

The brigade turned out promptly, and strenuously fought the outbreak, which at one stage looked like carrying away the block on. the opposite side of the intersecting street, but a change of wind, together with the efforts of the brigade, saved the situation, and the damage in this block was confined to about £l5O on Mr Say's butchery premises and comparatively plight damage to D. Donaldson's sample rooms and the residence and shop of D- Saunders, cabinetmaker and undertaker. When closed after business hours on .•Saturday night everything appeared to ■be safe on the premises of Hague and Smith and Hethcriugton's, Ltd.,' and there is nothing to show where the fire started, though it is believed that it broke out in the rear portion of the building oi one or other of these firms. w Say had an insurance of £6OO on stock and plant with the South British Office and £450 on the building with the same office. Hague and Smith's insurances are with the Australian Alliance, and represent a substantial sum, but the exact amount cannot yet be ascertained, as all the insurances were effected from the head office at PaeroaHetherington's insurances are not available, but it is believed the building was covered by a line of £IOOO and the stock for £SOOO in various offices. The firm's loss exceeds £3OOO