HALL AT LIMEHILLS DESTROYED BY FIRE

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 6

HALL AT LIMEHILLS DESTROYED BY FIRE

CAUSE OF OUTBREAK NOT KNOWN The Limehills Public Hall and library was totally destroyed by fire late on Wednesday night. The outbreak was noticed at 11.30 p.m. by a passing motorist, who advised -a nearby resident. The fire had a good hold at the time. About 30 persons gathered at the scene, but nothing could be done to save the building. The hall had been used earlier in the evening by the Limehills Miniature Rifle Club for its weekly shoot and a small meeting of residents had been held. No fires had been lit in the hall. The outbreak appeared to have started at the stage end of the hall, but so far the cause is unknown. The hall had been locked after the rifle shooting, about 9.30 p.m. The building and piano were insured for £750 with the South British Insurance Company. The library, which occupied room of the hall, contained about 1600 books, including a number of new books which had been recently added, and was insured for about £lOO in the State Fire Insurance Company. There was no insurance on a quantity of crockery, including 300 cups, or the seats and tables. A box containing articles belonging to the Limehills branch of the Women’s Institute and eight wooden trays belonging to a caterer were also destroyed. It is the second time that the Public Hall at Limehills has been destroyed by fire. The original hall was burned 'down in 1921 and the new building was erected three years later. The new building was a wooden structure and, after an addition and several other improvements about five years ago, it was considered to be one of the most up-to-date country halls in Southland. It is understood that the hall had been booked every night for the next two weeks for various functions and also three nights a week during the winter months.