×

 

• 

Without a doubt, the greatest news item of five years ago was the disastrous fire which wrecked Columbine Hosiery Factory. Sweeping through the compressor, stores, and main knitting room, the flames left in their wake an estimated £400,000 worth of damage. Over £200,000 of knitting machinery was wrecked beyond salvage. It was the most expensive fire in the history of Gisborne, and would certainly rank as one of the most spectacular.