BIG BLAZE AT OTAKI

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2187, 27 June 1914, Page 5

BIG BLAZE AT OTAKI

TOWN HALL DESTROYED. (From Pnr Special Correspondent.) Otakl, Juno 2G. Tho most disastrous, fire in tho annals sf Otaki took place hero at about 1.30 this (Friday) morning, when tho Town Hall (recently enlarged' and improved) ■was burnt to tho ground, together .with tho old "Mail" office building, the Bank of Australasia, Mr. L. ■ St. George's , . pharmacy. Ntirse Te Au's offices, Mr. TuUoch's garage, and a shop occupied "' by Miss Bassett. \ \Vhen the outbreak was first noticed, 1 the fire had a good hold of the rear portion of the hall, but had thero been a water Bupply tho fire could have been subdued. However, it was useless to make an effort with buckets, and the i flames were left \inchcckcd. The moving picture plant, brass band instruments, and the .. Horticultural . Society's belongings were all tlesta-oyed. Mr. Tulloch's large motor-car was saved, while the contents of the other biddings were chiefly removed. Tho origin of the firo is a mystery, as there had been no fire lit in 'the ball for -weeks. Mr. It. , Bevrai is a large loser, having the picture plant, etc., installed in the hall. The Bank of Australasia safes ivere opened this morning at a later lionr, and tho contents \vero found to be only slightly' scorched. ■ : . The Central Hotel, opnosite the scene, was saved only with difficulty, blankets uein.o: hung from the balcony. Tho telegraph and- telephone wires wero dsmaged. -■■,''. - ' ' :■