FIRE AT MENZIES BAY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19669, 12 July 1929, Page 9

FIRE AT MENZIES BAY.

MR WILLIAM MENZIES' HOMESTEAD DESTROYED.

Mr "William Mensies' well-known homestead. "Clenmona," Menaiea M*y, was totally destroyed by fire shortly after midday on Saturday. Mr and Mrs Menzies were staying at Tai Tapu at the time % their two sons were working in the woolshed, and the men employed on the place were away at lunch. The only occupant of the house when the fire w»s discovered was the housekeeper. Sb« immediately gave the alarm, and the sons and others summoned by telephone did what they could to check the outbreak, but the flames got beyond them and the large fourtecnroomed homestead soon became a smoking ruin. A certain quantity of the contents was rescued including some very valuable Maori carvings executed by Mr William Menxies' father, Mr "J. H. Menxies. who was a verr skilful exponent of that art. A very fine Maori dining hall ornamented by many original carvings suffered total destruction with the remainder of the building. The boose was of verv substantial construction and cost over £4OOO to bai]d. It was insnred only tip to half its value.