HOTEL DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19166, 24 November 1927, Page 12

HOTEL DESTROYED BY FIRE.

BOARDERS HEAVY LOSERS. [THE PBBSS Bpecl»J Service.] AUCKLAND, November 23. Fire destroyed the Howick Hotel this afternoon, and several boarders lost practically all their effects. The building, a two-storey wooden structure of 20 rooms, was about 35 years old. It had been leased during the List eleven months by Mr T, E. Tasker, the owner being Mr T. Poland, of Kohimarama. Only three chimneys remain.

The outbreak started at about 4 p.m. near the bathroom on the ground floor, but those inside the building were not aware of the fire until the alarm was given from outside. A strong wind swept the flames through the rooms rapidly, and, as Howick does not possess either fire brigade or street hydrants, nothing could, be done to save the building. Within an hour the hotel was gutted, but before all sides were enveloped in flames, willing helpers removed some of the furniture, some of* the stock from the bar, and some personal effects. . A sum of £3OO, which was ready for the bank, was also secured. A bucket brigade managed to save the outbuildings and garage. One of the guests, Mrs H. K. Gilmour, lost a valuable collection of curios gathered by her son, the Rev. M. Gilmour, a missionary, of Papua. A heavy loser was Mr A. Gerring, town clerk of Howick, who has resided in the hotel since fire destroyed his residence about nine months ago, and burned to death a friend who was occupying a ioom ■ Although Mr Tasker holds a policy of £2OO over his property, he is a heavy loser, there being no cover on portion of the bar stock which was destroyed. The building is insured for £2BOO in the Southern Union Office and the furniture is covered by £7OO.