REMUERA GOLF CLUB HOUSE BURNT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 86, 12 April 1945, Page 7

REMUERA GOLF CLUB HOUSE BURNT

ALMOST A TOTAL LOSS CUB AND MEMBERS WILL BE HEAVY LOSERS (P.A.) Auckland, April 10 The clubhouse of the Remuera Goll Club, at Meadowbank, was almost completely aestroyed by lire wnicn broke out. shortly after 3 o’clock this afternoon. Only two rooms out of 16 were saved, and these were badly scorched. The club, which has a membership of about 200 women and 300 men, of whom 70 are overseas, suffered heavily and lost, many valuable silver trophies, while many "of the members’ goll clubs and bags were destroyed. "I was working i n the office checking over the clubs books with the auditor when a noise from the new men's locker room attracted my attention,” said the secretary, Mr. W S. Ralph.” “On opening the door to the locker room I was met by choking smoke. I tried to close the door to prevent the fire from spreading, but I was almost suffocated, and only just managed to crawl away from the lire.” By the time the brigades were o*i the scene the lire had been fanned by a strong northerly wind, and had gained a strong hold throughout most of the building. About the only rooms which escaped serious damage were two occupied by the steward, and these were damaged by heat, smoke and water. The club, which is now in its tenth season, will suffer heavily from the fire which has occurred at a most unfortunate time, shortly after the opening of the new season. In addition to the loss of the building and modern furnishings, all the silver trophies were melted by the heat of the flames. Records and trophies boards also were destroyed As the secretary was working on cash at. the time of the outbreak he was able to save the contents of the safe. About 350 lockers were provided in the clubhouse and a majority of the members made a practice of leaving their gear there. While some of this was covered by insurance the majority will be heavy losers, particularly as golf clubs and balls are so difficult to procure. Various additions had been made to the clubhouse from time to time, until it was regarded as probablv the most modern for its size in Auckland. The clubhouse and contents were insured with the Norwicn Union Office, but no details of the amount were available. The secretary expressed the opinion that the insurance would not cover the full ramage.