FIRE AT WAIKINO.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 7004, 8 May 1906, Page 2

FIRE AT WAIKINO.

BUSINESS PORTION DESTROYED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association) WAIHI. Last Night.

One of the most destructive conflagrations experienced in this district took place at 11 o'clock on Saturday night in Waikiao. The entire business portion was reduced to ashes, nothing remaining but chimney stacks and debris. The large Waikino Hotel was completely destroyed. The total loss is roughly estimated (including insurances), at some £7OOO or .£3OOO. The fire sprung suddenly from the lamp room at the rear of the hotel, and spread with alarming rapidity. The inmates of the hotel were taken completely by surprise, and some of them had barely time to escape uninjured. Nothing could be saved. Mr Montgomery, licensee of the hotel, losing all his cash and valuable".

The fire swept on the adjoining buildings and then spread, owing to its intense heat, to the opposite side of the street, demolishing in its course the shops of Mr A. Howarth (tobacconist) and J. Henmssey (tailor), and also M. Maberly's boarding house, Mr R. Montgomery's billiard saloon, MrShotbolt's draper's shop, and Constable Flavell's residence.

A hose and fire apparatus from the Waihi Company's battery was brought up, but owing to the great hold the fire had, practically nothing could be done to stay the confutation. Owing to the exertions made by the fire brigade, Shotbolt's premises were saved. All the stock was taken out, and nothing was bst. Mr Higgins (confectioner), whose shop was burned, had an insurance of £SO in the Imperial on fittings. The building was owned by Mr Pierce, of Morrinsville. Mr Higgins lo3t all his furniture, which was uninsnred.

Montgomery's stables were also burned. Crowds from Waihi visited the ruins yesterday. The place presents a most chaotic appearance. The night was very clear, and the sight is described as magnificent from the hills. Sergeant McKinnou and the Waihi police inspected the scene of the fire yesterday. As far as can be gathered the following are the insurances:— Montgomery's stock and furniture, .£I3OO in the Imperial office. The lioensee estimates his loss above insurance at about .82000. Waikino llotel, owned by Campbell and Ehrenfried: Insured in the New Zoiland Company for £I9OO. The loss is considerably above this. Howarth's, tobacconist: £SO in the Imperial. Hennessey, tailor: £IOO in the Imperial. Estimates loss above insurances, £l2O.

M.Miberley's boardinghouse; £250 in the Imperial. Constable Fiavell's residence, owned by H. Benners, £l5O in the Imperial; furniture, £IOO.

Montgomery's billiard saloon £l5O, and stables £SO, in the Imperial. Shotbolt, draper: jBIOO on stock in Imperial office. Other losses will probably be ascertained later. The origin of the fire is not known, but it is surmised that a lighted match may have accidentally been thrown down in the lamp room, a number of men being about at the time. There were about 100 boarders in Montgomery's Hotel at the time of the fire. All their personal effeots were lost, some getting out at the last moment. The boarders are now provided with temporary quarters in the public hall. Damage was done to the adjoining shops, which were not touched by fire, by the crowd. Shotbolt's goods were considerably damaged through handling, and some thieving is reported. On the alarm being given an attempt was made to put out the fire by using salt in the lamp room, but the fire had too big a hold. It enveloped the staircase. Mr Montgomery then rushed to the office and attempted to get his cash and books, bui he was overeoniu with heat, and was carried out.

The safe contained <\ dozen gold watches and chains, one watch being valued at £SO. All were destroyed. Mr Chester, who gave the alarm, had his clothes set alire.

Mr Bain, who rented the billiard saloon, had £IOO insurance uu two tables in the Imperial. Mr K. Shaw (grocer), Mrs Fife (diaper). Heuius (ohemist), Miller, and Dickson all sustained partial loss through the handling cf their properties. A telegram received by Mr Maborley states that the men's rooms in the boarding ho r, se weae burned, and he concludes that the rest of the building was saved. The insurance on the men's rooms was £125, and on the whole building £250. The boarding houso was occupied by Mrs Smith.