A LAND-MARK GONE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 656, 4 March 1909, Page 5

A LAND-MARK GONE.

PAIKAKARIKI HOTEL BURNT,

INMATES'NARROW ESCAPE,

The Paibakaribi Hotel, a landmark of tho Manawatu Line, was completely destroyed by fire at 5 a.m. yesterday. The hotel was built over 30 years ago. It was a stoppingplace for the Wellington-Wangauui coaohes in those days. When the railway was built it beoame a favourite resort of trippers and honeymoouers. The hotel was owued by Mr G.Anyon, who is hotel-keeping .in Fiji, and the lessee was Mr P. Hilton who, with Mrs Hilton, had a very, narrow esoape. They were asleep and were only aroused in the niok of time. M Hilton's loss will be about £6OO above insuranoe as well as the losb of the balance of the summer season.

The firo began in the baok of the dining-room, downstairs. No cause can be asoribed for the outbreak, which was discovered by the laundress. The housemaid immediately roused the 31 boarders, who esoaped in their night olothing, absolutely nothing being saved. The lioensee got away with nothing but his coat and trousers, so sudden and fierce were the flames, a quarter of an hour after the alarm the building was in ruins.

Mr Hilton lost £BO worth of jewellery, and several of the boarders valuables to a smaller amount. The building was insured in the Liverpool and London and Globe for £2loo,.the furniture for £2OO, and the stook for £2OO in the same office.

Mr Hilton entered into possession on Maroh Ist, 1908.