STRATFORD HOME BURNED

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1930, Page 8

STRATFORD HOME BURNED

BLAZE LIGHTS COUNTRYSIDE. OWNER WAS ON THE STAGE. Hundreds of Stratford people were attracted to Swansea Road last night to witness one of the most spectacular fires of recent years in which a sixroomed wooden house, old but in good repair, owned and occupied by Mr. P. T. Aitken, was completely destroyed. Mr. and Mrs. Aitken, with their children, were at the Town Hall attending a benefit entertainment in which Mr. Aitken was taking part and had no other notice of their liome’s destruction than a hurried message received prior to Mr. Aitken’s solo. Meanwhile the house was a mass of flames. The brigade was advised about 10.10 p.m.. but neighbours say they saw flashes as though a rubbish Are was burning before 9 o’clock. No notice, however, was taken as the house was isolated in a few acres of land and flanked by trees. Practically the whole of the front was blazing before the brioade had a chance and the remainder made such a conflagration that it lit the surrounding countryside, the glare beimr visible for miles. Mr. Aitken stated that he took particular care to see that the file in the range was extinguished befoie he left home. A hot fire had been burning all The house was insured with the Phoenix Company for £590 and its contents in the same office for £3OO. Mr. Aitken acted as secretary to, and has been a member of, the Stratford brigade for many years. The children were housed for the nifht by Mr, and Mrs. G, Pugh, and at° the hostel of the Technical High •School, while Mr. and Mrs. Aitken found hospitable shelter with their neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Greave. PERSONAL. Mr. A. Coleman left for Wellington yesterday. Miss Joan Coleman also left on a holiday visit to the same city. Mr. and Mrs. G. D. McGregor, Eltham, left yesterday fbr Christchurch, where they will witness the New Zealand Cup carnival. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. ‘‘THE VAGABOND KING.” In the colourful “The Vagabond King,” O. P. Heggie gives a portrayal of an historically authentic character —the type of role which brought him greatest fame on the stage in England, and on Broadway, He is seen in ‘The Vagabond King” as a petulant, weak-willed monarch, who is confronted with the ills of government which were so rife in the dark ages in which the action of the picture takes place. He allows Dennis King, as Francois Villon, rowdy-poet, to become king of France for ya week. The manner in which King leads. the vagabond rabble against the King s enemies, the Burgundians, and then lays himself open to death on the gibbet, provides such screen excitement as few producers have been able to stir up in many a long day. Paramount has turned out' this thrilling gem of song, romance and action in a manner which takes the breadth away. King’s leading lady is Jeanette MacDonald. Warner Oland plays the treacherous Grand Marshal;. Lillian Roth is seen and heard in the singing role of Huguette.