A HOTEL BURNED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14292, 11 February 1910, Page 5

A HOTEL BURNED.

«, tgg< !?|fSARMAN LOSES HIS LIFE. ' If - — • ■ ■ ■ ■ | fifc CHARRED REMAINS FOUND. I ■ ■ } fff-V* ■ .... .. ' •":&,, [BY TKLEGRArn.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] I! . ■ 5 H4' l - v Invercargill, Thursday. 1 'iiBOrT six o'clock this morning the RailK JSTtfay Hotel at Winton, a landmark for dearly half a century, was totally destroyed jff fire, and Thomas Mclnerney, aged 38, 1 brother-in-law of Mr. Keith, the proprietor, was burned to death. Deceased I was employed as a barman, and at the iPpme was in. sole charge of the hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Keith having started the previous ifpay on a motor trip to.-Duxiedin. The incinerated remains of Mclnerney were dis-

§ covered about middir, there being evidence p. that he had been endeavouring to Gave the cash box and books, the remains of which

§ij were , found alongside the body. Fortunately, there were not many boarders in the house at the time, but those .who were $: there found great difficulty in escaping.

Pierce's liairdreseing saloon, alongside the

if- hotel, . was also destroyed, but Coombes' if- livery stables, at the -rear, were saved, jf v though the side and top ignited. The Bank

of New Zealand was in imminent danger,

J<, ' the projecting eaves taking fire frequently, j but the . promptness of the bucket brigade j saved the building. - »• .'i ' «'-• The insurances on the hotel were £>700,! ,t' on the furniture £525, and on tiye stock £100, in the* New Zealand, Yorkshire, and vi'| .North British offices. Pierce's insurance amounted to £200, in the Standard. The stables were insured for £225 in the South British and " New Zealand offices. The damage is estimated, at £30. ;

It is supposed that the fire started in the kitchen, where a hotel porter, at about - 6.30, had lit up the stove before leaving ' for Mr. Keith's farm. - .t;T ;.£},* •• .... - "