DISASTROUS FIRE AT TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3180, 10 November 1892, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE AT TE AROHA.

SIX SHOPb DESTROYED. A VERY disastrous tire took place yesterday morning in Whitaker-street by which six business places WBre completely destroyed, and it was only by the most strenuous exertions of willing helpers, aided by the fortunate circumstance of there being little or no wind blowing, that the adjoining premises on either side of the block burned, viz., Mr Hotchin's boarding-house and Mr Robson's chemist shop, werd not also destroyed. The fire broke out about half-past 1 in the morning, and originated in Mr W. Biggs' shoe shrp next to Mr Hotchin's. About one of the first who discovered the fire and gave the alarm was Mr HotcSin, who says that to the best of his belief the fire began in the front part of Mr Biggs' shop. It rapidly spread, and in a very short time Miss French's dressmaking shop, next.door,was in flames, then Mr Williams', grocery, Mrs Balcke's stationery and fancy goods shop, Mr Lusher, jewellers' and Mr Mclndue's saddlery, establishments. There being no water supply, the efforts of the onlookers to save the premises were of cour=e utterly hopeless, so that all that could be done was to endeavour to save as much as possible of their contents. In this the ladies were, we may say, very conspicuous and deserve the highest praise for the manner in which they worked. The greater portion of the stock belonging to Mrs B.dcke, Mr Mclndoe and Mr Lusher was saved, although they all suffered considerable loss. The whole of the stock in the other premises, viz., Mr Biggs, Miss French, and Mr Williams, was completely destroyed. The insurances so far as can be ascertained are as follows :—Mr Biggs, in the Phoenix Co., £150 on stock, and £50 on fixtures, tools, etc., a total of £200. Ha estimated his loss at £243, as follows: Stock, £180 ; tools, £40 ; furniture, £15; and sowing machine, £8. There is an insurance on Mr Williams' house (late Miss King's), of £150 in the N.Z. Insurance Co., but]none whatever on the stock and furniture, which was valued at between £250 and £300. Gre.it sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Williams, who were only married on Sunday last, and who had just recently filled the shop with a large and new stock of groceries, etc. He will carry on business in his old shop. Mrs Balcke had an insurance for £250, but her Iks in excess of that is estimated at fully £150, there having been a very large stock of fancy goods on hand. Mr Fass, who owned the premises occupied by Miss French and Mr Biggs, had them insured for £100 in the Phcenix Co.

Mr Mclndoe was insured in the New i Zealand and Phoenix Co.'s, a total of £200. Part of this large stock was saved, but he estimates his loss considerably in e.xcess of the insurance. Mr Lusher had no insurance but he saved nil his stock, only having lost his tools. Miss French was not insured, and lost everything in the shop, a sewing machine and a number of dresses she was making for customers. The fire burned away until morning broke, but there was no danger of its I spreading. i The paramount necessity of a water i supply was very prominently brought into view, and it is earnestly hoped that steps will be taken without delay in bringing about this long needed supply. Had there boen any wind at all yesterday morning, there is no doubt but that the conflagration would have been still mora disastrous even

than what wa have recorded. Mrs Balcke has moved her goods into the ..dressmaking room attached to Mr Edwards' drapery establishment, which he has kindly placed at her disposal for the present. . Mr Mclndoe has put his stock iuto the shop in VYhitaker-street, adjoining Mr Bell's, tailor. Any orders left for Mr Lusher with Mr Mcladoa will bo promptly attended to. Mr Robson, chemist, though not a, sufferer by the fire, sustained considerable loss in the breakage of chemicals, medicines,

etc., which had all to be moved out of his premises into the middle of the street, as well as damage to fences, etc., ami for this he intends making a claim on the Alliance Co., in which he is insured and for which he is the local agent. It would be impossible to speak in terms of too high praise of the manner in which a number of friends aud neighbours came to the assistance of those whose premises were in flames, and work-s l hard for eevetal hours in moving out the furniture, stock, Mo., of Mrs Balcke, Mr Lusher and Mr 1 Iclndoe. The fire had got such a hold on t.he other three Bhops that it was hopeless tjo attempt removing anything out of them. We understand that it is likely an enquiry will be held as the origin of the fire. —Te Aroha News.