Te Kuiti D.H.S. Main Block Destroyed

Northern Advocate, 20 March 1939, Page 9

Te Kuiti D.H.S. Main Block Destroyed

tSpecial to '‘Northern Advocate''} TE KUITI. This Day. Fire shortly after 7 o'clock ’{his morning destroyed the main block of j the To Kuiti District High School's primary department. The building comprised seven rooms, including the headmaster’s study and the teachers’ room. Although some of the teachers and pupils’ books were saved, many valuable books and much private property belonging to the headmaster and his staff were destroyed. Apparently the, fire had a strong hold When the bell was rung, and, by the time the brigade arrived, there was no chance of saving the main block.

The brigade, which, was .hampered considerably by lack • of sufficient water, did ■well to prevent the spread of the flames to other blocks, including the primers department and that which housed Standards 3, 4 and 5. The origin of the fire is a mystery, as, according to the headmaster, Mr F. G. Kibblewhitc, everything was cleared up at the school on Friday at the conclusion of the refresher course, the power being switched off. Although the school is situated on the flat, the blaze could be. seen from a wide radius, and hundreds of people were on the scene a few minutes after the alarm had been given. Teachers, children and spectators worked hard in removing books, desks and equipment from those buildings nearest the burning block;