FIFES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2110, 11 October 1890, Page 3

FIFES.

A disastrous fire, the origin of which is unknown, took place in Wellington last Wednesday night. The building was the old Government Printing Office, part of which was 50 years old. The .Night Watchman, Walsh, asserts that shortly after two, while he was in the eastern portion of the building, which is used as a store, he heard an

explosion, and immediately after flames burst out in the lithographic department, in the western wing. The fire brigade prevented the spread of the fire, but it is estimated that the Government loss amounted to nearly £15,000. It is believed that some of the lithographic plant can be rendered fit for use again. The Government propose to erect a brick building in which to carry on the lithographic business at a cost of between £4OOO to £6OOO. The building will not be erected on the former site. The building was on land leased by the Government from the Hospital Board, to whom it is said the Government must pay £1550, as the place was not insured. _ Dunedin, Oct. 9.

A fire broke out at II last night on the premises of Alexander Potter, King street, formerly known as Wain’s Hotel, now used by Potter and Son as a cornstore. The inmates barely escaped with their lives, Mrs Potter, senior, jumping from an upper window and sustaining a fracture of the ankle. Potter’s premises were gutted, and the adjoining shop of Wilson, saddler, was considerably damaged. Potter’s effects were uninsured, but he had a policy for £6OO in the Norwich Union and £IOO in the North German ; Wilson was insured for £2OO in the Guardian, but estimates his loss at £3OO above the insurance.