NEW ZEALAND CLUB BURNED.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16309, 5 September 1918, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND CLUB BURNED.

A FIRE IN SALISBURY. '

(FROM QfTVi OWN COHRESPO.VDENT.) ' The New Zealand 2 '!!! ttin first st , re K t ' SaJ M b ? I y» "Which was i w °P ened b y the New Zealand War Contingent Association,' and was for the ccjnvenience of our men on July 2nd ' WaS burned on The building, known as the Central Hall, was erected 113 years ago as a Congregational chapel, and wast used lor that purpose for seventy years. It was subsequently converted into a free library, until the eroction of the Carnegie Library in Salisbury. Two years ago it was taken over as a New Zealand Soldiers' Club, and since then it has been a popular resort for Now Zealand. Australian, British, and Canadian soldiers, and lately for Americans. Miss A. Chilton Button (Auckland), who was in charge of the club, locked up shortly after 10 p.m., and the fire broke out before 3 a.m. tho following morning. There was a furious galo blowing, and it was impossible to save the place, though the fire was prevented from spreading. Tho New Zealand War Contingent Association lost over £50 in paper money, in addition to books and papers, and the members of the staff have lost a good deal of their private belongings. The New Zealand "flag was rescued in a half-burned condition, and Miss Button intends to take it with her to New Zealand. Miss Hay was formerly in charge of the club, and lately Miss Button has been there, assisted by Mrs Olhey and Mrs Rough, of New Zealand, and by four English ladies. The Town Council of Salisbury passed a resolution of deep sympathy with the New Zealanders in the loss of their club. It is not known vet what steps will bo taken to replace it. Members of the Town Council scoke in very high praise of the work it tad done.