Buildings, goods destroyed in fire

INVERCARGILL, November 20: The most destructive fire that has occurred for many years broke out in the National Mortgage Company’s premises in the Crescent block shortly after 3 this morning. When the brigade arrived the place was a seething mass, and the twostorey brick premises were completely gutted. Nothing on the premises was saved. The flames broke into the adjoining fourstorey building of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, the main portion of this being destroyed, too, with its valuable contents. Only part of

the front offices remains intact. Extensive stocks of seeds, cornsacks, fertilisers, and general merchandise were carried by both firms, and the loss will be very heavy.

It is estimated that it will cost over £20,000 to reinstate the National Mortgage buildings. The contents were valued at between £15,000 and £20,000. The Loan Company’s building contained 850 bales of wool belonging to the Imperial Government, besides a large quantity stored for clients, valuable plant, a large quantity of seed oats, manure, and general merchandise all of which were totally destroyed. The aggregate loss will probably reach £75,000.

district, at an estimated cost of £4370. Applications have already been received for supply from 91 Portobello residents, 56 from Broad Bay and 47 from Macandrew Bay, and the revenue from these applicants more than represents the guarantee required.