LARGE HOUSE BURNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21292, 20 September 1932, Page 8

LARGE HOUSE BURNED

Lobs ESTIMATED AT £SOOO WELL-KNOWN CANTERBURY HOME [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHEISTCBURCH, Monday Known as Kent Lodge, the 17-roomed home of Mr. Edward Cross, in Yaldhurst Road, near Ghristchurch, • was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The loss is estimated at about £SOOO. Antiques, furniture and china collected over 20 years, and jewellery valued at £250, were lost. The fire was discovered at 6.30 when the back portion was found to be well ablaze. The water supply was not great enough for the efforts of a bucket brigade to be effective, and the fire was outside the Central Brigade's district. Neighbours assisted Mr. and Mrs. Cross and Miss Dorothy Smith, companion to Mrs. Cross, to save some articles. Mr. C. E. Cross, brother of Mr. E. Cross, lost a large collection of South African curios.

None of the occupants or helpers was injured in the fire, but Mrs. Cross received such shock that later she was ordered to hospital for a rest. Kent Lodge has a long history closely related to the growth of the district. Following a period in the possession of the original builder, it was used as a private school and was next purchased by its present owner, who is a member of the firm Fred Cross and Sons, wine and spirit merchants.

The insurances are for several thousand pounds in the South British office.