Rarotonga.
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Fire Destroys Store at Rarotonga.
From Our Own Correspondent.
Rarotonga, June 15.
Messrs, Grove & Sons’ store at Rarotonga was gutted by fire on June 2.
Every article in the main store was destroyed, including the contents of two safes. The safes proved to be non fire resisting, so that all paper money, books of accounts, and records were totally reduced to ashes.
The outbreak was discovered by Mr.
E. J. Mathews, manager for Messrs.
Jagger Harvey, at about 9.50 p.m. By that time the flames had a complete hold.
This fire appears to be the first in the history of the island.
It is reported that the police are in possession of evidence that the store was deliberately set alight by a sub normal native, who gained entrance to the building during the night through one of the front windows.
The matter will shortly come before the Court.