BLAZE AT STRATFORD.

A CLEAN SWEEP. THIRTEEN FIACES BURNED. BUSINESS BLOOTi DESTROYED. (By Talegrapli.—Press Association.) STRATFORD, this day. A fire broke out shortly after midnight on the east side of Broadway, and, spreading quickly, destroyed a large portion of the block before the conflagration was arrested. The buildings destroyed were on a rail-way leasehold, and aU were of wood. The fire originated, in Mr. Sheahan's tobacconist shop, the same building also being occupied by Messrs. Sladen and Palmer, engineers, and Mr. Ford, bootmaker. The next building, occupied by Mr. Finnerty, estate agent, was destroyed, and also a block of buildings known as York Chambers, occupied by Mr. Richardson, grocer, Mr. Fargie, estate agent, Mr. Tyrer, solicitor, Mr. McCluggage, estate agent, Mr. Cook, tailor, Mr. Healey, architect,On Kee grocer, Harris, fishmonger, and Barker's refreshment rooms, all being practically destroyed.

The Central Co-operative Grocery Stores -were damaged severely, as was Foster's boot shop at the other end of the block. THE INSURANCES. In.surant__s so far available show: Dr. Paget's building, £525, in the United. Sheaban's stock, fittings, and billiard table, £400, in the Oceanf Ford's stock and stools, £50, in the Ocean. Theosophical Society, furniture, £30, in the Ocean. Kurgest' building, £700,' State. Fire Oflice. Tyrer, office furniture, £100, in the Northern. Mrs. Barker, stock and fitting's, £250, in the Atlas. S. S. Cook, furniture and stock, £50, in the Atlas. Harris, stock and fittings, £100, in the Commercial Union. J. D. Healey, office furniture, £50, in the Commercial Union On Kce, building £400, stock £500, in the Commercial Union. Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 107, 6 May 1919, Page 5