MORE FIRES AT ASHBURTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 31 December 1907, Page 2

MORE FIRES AT ASHBURTON.

SEVEN IN A MONTH

(Pei' Press Association)

ASHBURTON, December 29

Another disastrous fire occurred' on Saturday night, when the drapery establishment of Robert AJporn. was completely destroyed. The building was an old wooden one of two storeys, situated in Havelock street, and was soon a mas-; of flames. The lalarm was given about nve minutes past ten. A]corn had locked up at 9.45. Although the brigade was early on the scene and worke:! hard, they could do' little to check the progress of the flames with their inadequate appliances—an engine which takes fifteen minutes to get up steam and an insufficient water supply. Fortunately the naght was calm, with no wind blowing, otherwise a number of wxlen buildings in the vicinity, including th& Courthouse, mighthave also been destroyed. The destruction of the building, which belongs to John Baker, •cxncl the stock, was complete in less than an hour, so furious did the fire burn. The brigade, did good' service in saving thi© adjoining brick building, also owned by John ißaker, and occupied by F. Ferriman, land and estate agent. Ferriraan's loss, which was mostly by wa.ter, •is small. The insurance on Alcorn's drapery is stated at £1800 in the Standard Office. Up to a month ago the amount of the insurance was £2000, buib a £200 policy was allowed to lapse owing to stock being reduced. Aloorn estimates liis less ,nt £1000 over the insurance. The wooden building, which was destroyed, was insured in the South British for £300.

To-day at 1 o'clock the firebell again rang out. This new fire was located in tho Borough Council's implement shed, which is situated immediately near the brigade station. Although the brigade Svas on the scenic at once, the shed was completely destroyed, together with three clrays belonging to the Council, ft is understood the shed and contents were insured, but the amount is not available. There is no clue as ix> the origin oP the- fires, but there is an imoasy fee-ling in the community, as during last month there have been «eve?i nr'e>. It may also ba mentioned that a scheme ,fbr a high pressure water supply vw.ns defeated at the poll taken on October 12th last.