FOUR SHOPS ALSO TOTAL LOSS

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1947, Page 3

FOUR SHOPS ALSO TOTAL LOSS

WANGANUI. Feb. 2. Tke 'Argyle Hotel, HuuttrviUe, a two story house of 42 rooms, "vvas totally destroyed by lire on >Saturday night. Four lock-up shops, all forining part of the liotel building, are also a totai loss. The fire was noticed first by a passerby about 9.30 p.m. The liotel was fully booked olxfc at the time but the majority of boarders were at the pictures. The origin of the lire is not known. It staxted in the top storey and when the Hunterville Fire Brigade, under Captain B. A. Gordon, arrived the building was a inass of flames. All the brigade could do was to concejitrate on saving a valuable and large portion of the town which at oue stage seemed in imminent danger. Fortunately the night was cairn and tliat aided the brigade to accornplish that task. A call was put through to Marton and the fire brigade from there arrived within half an hour, xendering invaluable assistanee. . ;v .

") The hotel was owned by Mr. Eay L'road who acquired the freehold last December. He has been liceucee since last April. The shops destroyed were occupied by Mr. T. Brunton, hairdresser, tobacc,ouist and billiard roomj Mr. S. Lustey, stationer; the New Zealand Loali and Mercantile Agency, oflice and produce store. Alr. Groad had spent some £700 on Lmprovenients to the hotel recfently., The local inanager of the Loan and Mer-, cantile was able to save some o'f his stock but the other occupiers saved little or nothing. lnsurances are not, available. The hotel and contents were eove'red: •••