TOKO HOTEL DESTROYED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 28 June 1913, Page 6

TOKO HOTEL DESTROYED.

BOARDERS’ HEAVY LOSSES. Ncavs reached town this morning to the effect that the Toko Hotel had been totally destroyed by fire at about tAvo o’clock this morning, nothing but a chimney being left standing. I The‘ fire Avas discovered by the cook, Mrs Lynch, in the vicinity of a double chimney between the kitchen and the clining room. There were about fourteen persons in the house at the time, and they Avere aroused and escaped in scanty clothing, none of their effects being saved: The fire escapes had recently been seen to, and they were in first-class order. The licensee, Mr R. Morrison, managed to save a small portmanteau containing odds and ends. The safe has not yet been opened, and it is not knoAvn if the books and papers have come through intact. Miss Coleman, the schoolmistress, lost effects valued at £IQO, including a piano.- A bucket brigade was organised, but they Avore unable to, do anything to save ' the. main building, as the fire had too strong a, hold. They concentrated their efforts on the stables and outbuildings, Avhich were saved, .the > fire being quenched as it made its appear-, ance. Mr Morrison, to alarm Miss Coleman, broke- the Avincknv of her roam, cutting his hand rather severe- , ly. It Avas luckily a calm night. ,If there had been any ’ wind ‘ the Post Office must have been destroyed also. As it. was the building Avas merely blistered. Three or four of the boarders at the hotel had been to a dance, and arrived home just in time to see their belongings vanishing in smoke. A subscription was at once started for the cook, Mrs Lynch, who has two small children depending on her, and already a good sum Jias been collected. Messrs Geogha-n and Ritchie, blackshiiths, had received their Avages on Friday, and lost the Avhole in the fire. Among Mr Geoghan’s effects Avas a gnn valued at £25. Mrs Morrison, Avife of the licensee, Avho had been in the for some time, had decided to return home yesterday, but later on put off her return till to-day. The chimney from Avhich the fire is believed to have originated has given trouble from time to time, haying been afire tAvo or-three times previously. Mr Morrison had recently put in a lot of neAv stock, about half being put in a shed and thus being saved. The business Avas continued in a .temporary bar in the shed today. The building Avas a twostoried one, half of it being neAv, and contained between tAventy-five and thirty rooms. The OAvner of the building is Mr Hintz, of Noav Plymouth. The building Avas insured for app’oxin vtelv £I2OO, and the stock and furniture for £7OO, the chief risks being held by the Commercial Union Assurance Co. Messrs Hatrick and Co., Wanganui, are agents for the " building. The furniture Avas insurer! for £475.