THE LATE FIRE AT WANGANUI.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 444, 2 January 1869, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT WANGANUI.

By a telegram from our Wellington correspondent, sent as soon as communication had been established, we yesterday learned that an extensive fire hadjj occurred at Wonganui. By papers _ received by the steamer Wanganui, it appears that the fire happened on Christmas Day. The approximate loss of property in houses and stock is estimated at from £B,OOO to ,£IO,OOO, about the half of which is coveredhy insurance. The Liverpool and London and Globe Company held the largest risk and will lose about £3,500. The New Zealand and Victoria Companies are the only other insurers, and the loss of the latter is comparatively smal 1. The street where the Rutland Hotel stood—a lively looking place'it used to be—looks (says the Chronicle) wretched in its present ruin. The town narrowly escaped one of the most fearful conflagrations that ever occurred in the colony. The Odd Fellow's Hall had caught fire when a providential change of wind saved it as by a miracle. The same may be said of Mr Burnett's largo house on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Eidgway street. It narrowly escaped, and its escape saved the entire buildings down to Taupo Quay, the Bank of New Zealand included. The following is the estimated value of property destroyed and insurances effected:—Eutland Hotel, destroyed, £4OOO, insured in the Liverpool, London, aud Globe office for £1650, in the New Zealand office £IOOO, and in the Otago Fire and Marine office for £375. This policy lapsed on the 24th, the day previous to the fire. The stock and furniture, partly destroyed, insured in the Otago Fire and Marine office for £275. Policy lapsed 24th. The old Theatre destroyed, £3OO, insured in the Otago Fire and Marine office for £250. Policy lapsed on the 24th. 600 bag? flour etc., belonging to Mr Finnimore, stored in same destroyed, notinsured. Bowling saloon,.destroyed, £2OO, insured in the Victoria office for £IOO. This policy lapsed on the 24th. Gordon Bros, (blacksmiths) building, stock and fiurniture destroyed, £3OO not insured. Harding (tailor) building and portion of stock destroyed, £7OO, insured for £SOO. John Howe (tobacconist) building and stock partially destroyed, £l5O insured. Burnett (confectioner,) building, stock and furniture partially destroyed, £2OO insured. Hospital destroyed, £3OO, insured for £2OO. Robinson (jeweller) building destroyed, £3OO, insured for £2OO. Stock and furniture partially, £350, not insured. Gower (chemist) building destroyed, £4OO insured for £3OO. Allen (oyster saloon) building pulled down by

order of the insurance agents, stock and furniture partially destroyed, L2OO. Blake (saddler) building pulled down by order of the insurance agents, L3OO, insured for L2OO. Stock and furniture partially destroyed, not insured. Messrs Braithwait, H. Hurley, and Liddel suffered through removal of goods an average of LIOO, but are all insured.