TE AUTE COLLEGE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 19, 8 March 1918, Page 4

TE AUTE COLLEGE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

NAPIER, March 6. At an early hour, this morning a fire occurred at Te Aute, the greater part of the Maori College building being destroyed. The fire started between 2 and 3 a.m. in the kitchen, and in two hours the buildings, which were of wood, were burned to the ground. The main building, the headmaster's residence, and a number of outbuildings were all destroyed, with the exception of a quantity of furniture from the headmaster's residence. The chapel and class rooms were unharmed. The boys of the school were heavy losers. Five thousand pounds had recently been spent in effecting improvements and additions about the buildings; The insurances were for £5400 in the National office and £IOOO in the Royal Exchange. The pupils have been sent to their homes for the present, but temporary arrangements for their accommodation will bo made in a fortnight. The College was founded in 1872 by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, and is administered by a board of trustees. It occupied a splendid situation on the crest of a small hill, and was an extremely picturesque old building. The College owns about 7000 acres of land round Te Aute. This was granted to the school, partly by Sir George Grey's Government and partly by the Maoris themselves.