WELLINGTON FIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 6

WELLINGTON FIRE

LIST OF INSURANCES STOCKS HARD TO REPLACE. EMPLOYEES TEMPORARILY OUT OF WORK. (By Telegraph—Press Asociation.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Messrs Hope Gibbons Ltd. state that the building and the stock held by them are fully covered by insurance but particulars were not available as they had a floating policy which fluctuates with the value of the stock held. The Welsbach Light Co’s, stock is insured for £14,000. Messrs Leo Blake and Co. have their stock, machinery and plant covered to the extent of £2595. Messrs F. Lees and Co’s, policies are for £2050, covering stock and plant, and another £750 on stock only; Approximately 120 employees of the three business firms affected by the fire at the Hope Gibbons building will be out of work temporarily until the employers can make arrangements to carry on- in other premises. Mr Lees, of Messrs Lees and Co., manufacturing tailors, said that they would have 65 to 70 employees out this week. New premises have to be found and the whole plant will have to be completely overhauled before production can commence again which will not be for another month. The fire came at a bad time as a start was about to be made on the new season’s trade and water damaged large quantities of imported materials and trimmings that could not be replaced because of the import restrictions. Messrs Blake and Co. have about 40 employees out. They hope, to be in operation in other premises within a week. The Welsbach Co. have about ten workers temporarily out. ' (Further reference to the fire will be found on page 7).