GRANDSTAND FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1926, Page 3

GRANDSTAND FIRE

REBUILDING PROPOSED. Yesterday was the birthday of Mr H. AV. Kitchinghain (President of the Greymouth Trotting Club). Fate handed him an unwelcome birthday gift. The still-smoking ruins of what, yesterday morning, was the finest grandstand on the West Coast, to-day present eloquent proof of the power of fire when an uncontrolled element. The debris smouldered until late last evening, and the Trotting Club had the rums watched all-night, fearing that the wind might rise and carry sparks to the wooden stand not far away. Venturesome children caused thfe authorities considerable concern at Victoria Park, and not even a wire barrier kept the youngsters back from the dangerous area. Volunteers gave valuable assistance to the Fire Brigade yesterday, and, on returning to the Central Station, Superintendent T. Clarke expressed the thanks of the Brigade. Nine regular firemen were absent yesterday, the majority being at the Dunedin Competitions, and the remainder on the sick list.

The distance of the burning grandstand from the gates of the Park, over 200 yards, was the factor that put the Borough water supply out of action. The four inch main goes only as far as the gates, and, although there was plenty of water in the reservoir, and a good pressure in the mains, the length of hose necessary to reach the grandstand proved too much. The steam fire engine had therefore to be connected with the lagoon. In addition to the £BOOO insurance on the building, the contents were insured for £lO5 in the Phoenix Office. As one picture was the only salvage, the loss on the contents is considerable, the value of the crockery in the tea rooms alone being estimated at about £l2O. The Club’s secretary (Mr P. 0. Heaphy) stated to-day that the exact loss depended upon the value of the concrete walls still standing. The structure cost in the vicinity of £13,000, and the insurance amounted to £BOOO. He was awaiting a report on the value of.the walls and foundations, from the viewpoint of rebuilding operations. This would be necessary, as the Club could not carry on without the extra stand accommodation. Many telegrams and messages of sympathy have been received by the Club, including Canterbury and West Coast sporting bodies. Tire cause of the fire remains a mystery.