CORRESPONDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1938, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD RECOLLECTIONS. Sir, —Many years ago, in the.‘‘Seventies” I lived in New Zealand. I was ‘seventeen” then, (now “seventyeight”) and I saw the Hokitika Fire Brigade tower struck by lightning. In a moment it was a mass of flames. I ran downstairs and told Mrs Shain (her husband was Captain of the Fire Brigade) and as far as I can recollect no one else saw the flash of lightning strike the tower. A .new fire engine was to have been christened that night, but it being a stormy night, was postponed, the engine was saved, as it was in the shed. j.

I think of that (near Tailored St.)two storey building, now from' which I was looking out of the window. Tt had been Miss Petrie's Ladies’ Academy and later Mr and Mrs Ross (tailors and costumieres) lived there. T was a visitor that night as 1 lived with friends or. the Hau Hau, or Hampden Road. I’ve forgotten the correct name. I’ve travelled many miles since that never to be forgotten episode, hut old memories linger.

I wonder how many living in Hokitika now remenrbor the fire.

lam etc, (MRS) MARIAN GLEN, 26 Double Bay. Sydney.