LOSS TO RANGIORA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18463, 18 August 1925, Page 7

LOSS TO RANGIORA.

INSTITUTE HALL AND LIBRARY BURNED DOWN. Tho fire which destroyed the Institute Hnll and Library, Rangiora, early yesterday morning, is the most serious since that which occurred in the N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. buildings in 1913. The outbreak was discovered by Dr. Will, whose residence is next door to tho half. He gave the alarm, and the lire brigade, under Superintendent Tyler, were-.quickly--on -tjie -scene.-. -A good supply of water was available; and several streams of water were soon playing on the burning, building. Finding that tho back portion was doomed, the firemen concentrated their efforts on saving tho Library and front portion of the building, and in this they were partly successful, as the reading room and front portion of the Jjibrary wero saved, although the bulk of the books were ruined by water. Ihere were about 4500 books in tho Library. The Children's Library, which is at the back of tho main Library, was totally destroyed. The Hall itself is practically burnt •right out, only tho front remaining. Tho stage and dressing-rooms, the seats, and the piano were burned. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It is supposed to have started at the back of the stage. On Saturday night the pictures were shown and a band concert was to have been he'd on Sunday evening, but owing to the unsettled weather it was postponed. Mr J. P. Matthews, picture proprietor. is a heavy loser, all his plant and machinery, valued at £7OO, being destroyed. There was no insurance on the machine. The Hall was one of the landmarks of llangiora, and was built in 1872. The bulk of the money was raised by a bazaar and sale of work, organised by n committee of which the late Mr A. H. Cunningham was chairman. Of three ladies appointed to canvass the district, Mrs H. Blackett, Mrs .T. Johnston, and Mrs L. Hunnibe'l, the last-named is the only survivor. Tlie building, which was of wood, had hecn enlarged three times, and had had four narrow escapes from destruction from fire on previous occasions. Fortunately the night was calm, and tho firemen had no difficulty in confining the fire to the building. The fence dividing Dr. Will's place from the Hall was damaged by fire. The Hall and Library wero insured in the State Office for £l2-30 —£Boo being on the Hall, £4O on the piano, £SO on the furniture. £125 on the seats, and £235 on the books. A meeting of the Borough Council Committee was held yesterday morning, when it was decided to engage the N'orthern A. and P. room, opposite the Council Chambers, for a temporary library and reading room. The books saved "from the fire were removed there yesterday afternoon. .