EARLY MORNING FIRE IN CITY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 11

EARLY MORNING FIRE IN CITY

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO OLD WOODEN HALL BUILDING WAS FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Fire early yesterday morning did considerable damage to the central portion of the wOoden hall adjacent to the Marist Brothers’ St, Patrick’s School at the corner of Moorhouse avenue and Barbadoes street. The hall was the first Roman Catholic school in the city and was about 50 years old. 1 The outbreak occurred about 3 a.m. and the flames had a good hold when the Central Fire Brigade arrived. It was soon extinguished, but not before considerable damage had been done to the interior of the hall and its contents, including furniture and a piano, the property of the Marist Old Boys’ Club. Other property, including billiards tables, in adjoining rooms,,was saved. The hall was insured for £2OOO with the Royal Insurance Company. Jubilee celebrations of the school were to have been held in the hall at the end of next month. The building was the first Catholic school in Christchurch, Mr Edward O’Connor teaching there before the arrival of the Marist Brothers 50 years ago. It has served as a social hall and a parish hall, and has been used as the headquarters of the Marifit Old Boys’ Club and kindred organisations. For the last year it was used as a school ,by the Marist Brothers.