HOTEL BURNED DOWN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 662, 6 November 1902, Page 21

HOTEL BURNED DOWN.

The fine new building, known as the Hotel Commonwealth, the obtaining a license for which occasioned much litigation. was completely destroyed by fire about one o'clock last Thursday morning. So far as can be ascertained the fire started in a linen closet, anti was first discovered by one of the boarders. Mrs O’Driscoll, the wife of the licensee, after escaping, returned to recoxer some clothing, and her escape for the second time was nearly cut off, and her husband sustained burns while searching for his wife. The cash register, containing £7O, was saved, but very little else. The building was insured in the Sun Office for £2OOO, but there were no insurances on the furniture, which was all new, or the stock. Mr O'Driscoll will be a heavy loser. There is no clue to the origin of the fire.