£35,000 Loss

1,250 Tons Of Copra

Burned

Fire in Samoa Causes £35,000 Loss

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Oct. 22

AFIRE probably caused by spon taneous combustion broke out in the early morning of Monday, October 21, in the copra shed of Messrs.

A. G. Smyth & Co. Ltd., in Saleufi Street, south of the main Beach Road. Before it was brought under control, several hours later, it had destroyed 250 tons of copra in the Smyth shed, and another 1,000 tons stored in the adjoining shed, owned by Messrs. I. H. Carruthers Ltd.

The total loss is estimated at about £35,000.

Lack of fire fighting equipment, and lack of water pressure, both so apparent when the large stores of O. F. Nelson &' Co. Ltd., were burned in May last, handicapped the large numbers of Euro pean and Samoan residents who came quickly to help fight the flames.

Finally, at the suggestion of the Admin istrator, Colonel F. W. Voel/cker, who personally directed fire-fighting opera tions for some time, a barrier of empty oil drums was erected around the burning copra, and this kept the fire from adjoin

ing properties.

No copra had been shipped for several months, and there was an accumulation of between 4,000 and 5,000 tons here. Two ships, to load 1,400 and 2,000 tons respec tively, are expected shortly.

The copra and sheds were insured. But the Administration will lose about £5,000

in export duty on the burned copra. The subject of removing the copra stores to a place outside the business area, and the suggestion that stores should be built only of concrete, are now under discussion.

A photograph taken after the fire had been going for some time, by McFarland’s Studios, Apia.