FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14461, 2 March 1909, Page 5

FIRES.

(From Our Own Cor respondent.) ' ALEXANDRAS., March 1. The Springvale schoolhuuse was de-. stroyed by lire at 2,30 on Saturday doming last, file lire was first discovered by the men working on the niglstshift on the Olrig dredge, but wlum they arrived nil the scene the lire had a linn hold of the building. Rucketo of water were requisitioned, but all tho men's efforts were futile, and the school and its contents were destroyed. The origin of tho tire rciiMiro a mystery, as no fire had been/lighted in the building during the tvo days previous, and then only in n stove in "a coalshed attached to the school. The teacher was away at the time, and has lost a number of valuable books and other articles, AUCKLAND, March 1. The hotel at Takapitna was completely destroyed by tiro this afternoon. The building, which was erected 25 yeans ago, was built of wood, and contained some 50 rooms. It was owned by the Campbell Klirenfried Company. The licensee, who liadi been in possession only three weeks, being Mr l'\ T. Jiipscomho. The stock and furniture were insured for £1000 in the United office, but, the lots is estimated to be at least £1300. The building was iiisuml for £2000 in the 2s T ew Zealand Jt ii> supposed that the fire wac due to a spark from a defective chimney. There were no lioarderM at the hotel at tllfl time of the fire. An ancient landmark his been obliterated in the shape of a four-roomed dwelling situated in tho bush behind the Scelyn tramsheilj which was burned dowc vee'er<ky morning. It was in tho first place erected by Mr »]. Wy.se, and was used as a woolsheiL The property is now owned by, Mr R. N. Adams, who leased it to Albert Major, who is employed at the Criterion liotcl. rim cause ot tho tire is unknown, Mr ,Major having apparently left everything 6afe at 5.30 a.m., when he went to work. At 6 o'clock Mrs Major awoke to liiid the kitchen ablaze, and made her escape with the children through the bedroom window. Tho house, valued at £150, was insured in the New Zealand office 1

for £100, and tho furniture, valued at £130, is believed to have been insured fo( £100 in the Yorkshire office. Only a fow bedclothes wire saved. The Roelvii Brigade mustered immediately the alarm was given, but as there was no water supply handy, and no adjoining properties even endangered, tho. men-didiiirt-juttcecd to the firs.