FIRE AT KAPONGA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 January 1926, Page 5

FIRE AT KAPONGA.

HO AI JEST EA D DEBT ROY ED. WOMAN FARMER’S LOSS. Shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday u farm duelling of lire rooms, occupied by Mrs C. McGlinehey and family on the Palmer Hoad near Kaponga, was totally destroyed by fire, together with the* who'e of the household furniture and effects. No one was inside the house during the incipient stages of the outbreak, which was not discovered until it had a good hold in the rear portion of the building. Its origin is not definitely known, but from the location of the lire when first seen, it is conjectured that it may have commenced with a blaze in the kitchen chimney from which it may have spread owing to a possible defect in the construction. The first intimation that anything was amiss was received by Mrs McGlinchey, who from the washhouse saw smoke issuing from the rear entrance to the dwelling, and on investigating the cause was horrified to find that the kitchen wall about the fireplace and also the ceiling was blazing fiercely. Unable to cope with the position si ng’e-hand-Jd, Airs McGlinehey summoned Mr i). McAulay, who i.s employed on the farm. He with a neighbour. Mr H. Hitter, was on the scene within a few moments, hut the flames, fanned by a stiff northerly breeze, had spread rapidly through the house. There being insufficient water in the house tank and no other supply available, the two helpers and others who fol’owed were powerless to check the fire, nor, owing to. the intense heat and dense smoke. wer € they able to make successful efforts towards the salvage of furniture or personal property. The blazing, homestead was quickly reduced to a smoking ruin, the on'y portion of the .structure which remained standing being the kitchen chimney, and with the house was lost practically the whole of its contents. ’Pile house, which i.s owned by Mr C. Crowley, from whom the property is leased by Mrs McGlinehey, was insured by a snail l amount with the Taranaki Farmers’ Mutual Company, but details as to insurance on the furniture are not. yet available. Ft is the intention of Air Crowley, whose residence is on the adjoining farm, to have the bouse rebuilt as soon as the necessary arrangements- can be nia.de. In the meantime the homeless family js being provided with accommodation in a small cottage adjacent to Mr Crowley’s residence. APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE. The destruction of her home and the loss of everything it contained involves severe hardship to Airs McGlinehey, who is a widow with a family of three girls, aged about 3. 3' and 7 years, am,! two boys, aged 8 and 9 respectivev. Since the death of her husband, which occurred 21 years ago. after a protracted illness, she has been pluckiy endeavouring to provide for the family by working the property which had been farmed by her husband, and. much sympathy will be extended to her in this added misfortune. An appeal for assistance for the family is being organised. Messrs D. P. F. Alalone, of Palmer Hoad, and [>. Fitzgera’d, residing on the Eltham Hoad near Kaponga, took the initial steps in the matter last evening, and this morning Mr Alalone consented to act as treasurer to tile fund. Arrangements have ben /made to have lists placed at the Palmer Road dairy factory, the Kapuni factory and at Alessrs Davison and Kehely’s store, and Alessrs Comerford and Thonison’s store at Kaponga, where subscriptions may lie lodged. Subscriptions may also be 'edged at the Bank of New Zealand or the Bank of New South AVales. Kaponga. or at the Star Office, Hawera. and gifts of clothing for the children or bedding material may be left with Airs Crowley, Palmer Hoad. Subscriptions and gifts received wiT be acknowledged thronjvrh the columns of the Star, and as the case is a deserving one, it is to he hoped that a vorthv support will be accorded the appeal.