FIRE AT KIHIKIHI.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1402, 11 September 1923, Page 4

FIRE AT KIHIKIHI.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DESTROYED. Shortly before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon residents of Kihikihi were alarmed by a call of "Fire," and investigation showed that the Presbyterian Church, a building that has done service for the community since the year ISSS, was in process of demolition. Willing hands were quickly at work in an effort to save some part at least of the furnishings, but all such efforts were resultless, for the fire, which apparently had started under the flooring, made such headway that the Avhole building was a blazing mass within a few minutes, and it and its contents were completely destroyed. Apart from the sentimental value from old associations, the destruction of the building represents a loss to the Presbyterian community of Kihikihi for the £250 for which the church was insured (in the Victoria Office) will not replace it. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Service had been held in the church on Sunday evening, and when the officials left everything seemed in perfect order. No one is known to have been about the building next clay. Mr W. T. Brabyn. the Missioner, left for Auckland early yesterday morning on church business.