FIRE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 3 January 1924, Page 5

FIRE.

HISTORIC CHURCH DESTROYED,

(BY TELEGRAPH —PBESS ASSOCIATION.) , BLENHELAI, Jan. 2. _ Ibe Catholic church at Havelock situated in Lawrence Street, was totally destroyed by fire at 3.30 yesterday morning. The building, which was of a fair size, was 40 years old, having, been erected in the days of the Mahakipawa gold rush and the busy years subsequent thereto. It was therefore of considerable historic value and a landmark that will be missed. Though old the place was in a remarkably good state of preservation. The cause of the fire is not known. It is assumed that fireworks may have been at the bottom of the matter. It is a curious coincidence that sonjp building or other is always destroyed by fire in Havelock at the New Year.: The whole contents of the church including the altar requisites, the church furnishings, the organ, etc., were destroyed. The loss is extensive, fo^the insurance is only about £200.