Fire at Makowhai

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7105, 14 March 1933, Page 8

Fire at Makowhai

An outbreak of fire destroyed the dining room and community hall at the Makowhai relief camp on Sunday afternoon. The fire had its origin in a roughly-fashioned furnace at tho rear of the building. The outbreak occurred while practically the whole camp company was absent at a sports meeting half a mile away from tho camp. At the conclusion of one of the events, a dense volume of smoke was seen to be rising from the camp. The workers rushed back to the scene of tho fire, but it w r as too late to effect a saving of tho main building. A bucket brigade was able t-o save some adjoining sheds, while a provision store was entered with the assistance of an axe and its contents saved.

The building destroyed was 70 feet long and 25 feet in width, and w r as constructed in wood and corrugated iron. Among the effects destroyed were a piano and a recently acquired wireless set. A car w'hich was the property of the deputy-overseer, Mr. N. Jenkins, was a total loss. It is understood that steps are being taken by some generous people to have the piano replaced as soon as possible.