TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

It'i.Jt CllliMb AatjOl'M'rjOM.-— yOPYHIQIIT.j

BIG FIRE AT WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL.

OAMARU, Sept. 22,

A disastrous fire at the Waitaki Boys’ High School occurred this morn-

ing. When discovered about 1 o’clock, it had a strong hold, and as the water

supply was limited .to an inch and a half pipe, the Fire Brigade was unable to render any assistance. By means of the school’s hoses and buckets the masters, pupils and volunteers succeeded jn preventing the fire extending from the new wing, where it originated, to other portions of tho building. The part destroyed included the art room, with a comprehensive stock of models, etc., home science rooms, with a big paraphernalia of several class rooms, music rooms, school cups, trophies, and a great collection of valuable pictures, the property of the rector, witli which the walls of the rooms and corridors were adorned. The building is of Oamaru stone. The walls of a largo part are still standing, the other portion being blown out by the explosion of chemicals in the laboratory. Workers succeeded in saving a good deal of the contents, but that irreplacable was destroyed. J The total loss cannot as yet be determined, but it is likely to reach fully £IO,OOO, and is partly covered by insurance. The school only resumed yesterday after the term of vacation. Over two hundred boys were in residence. The dormitories and a number of class rooms and the boarding part were untouched. It is hoped to be able to carry on work. The origin of the fire is a mystery.

The fire in tho wing destroyed contained four class-rooms, four laboratories, artroom, and six small music rooms, orignally costing at first with furnishing £7,200. The total insurance thereon is £3OOO, divided between the Victoria and Yorkshire Insurance companies.

The fire appeared to originate above the ceiling in the class room adjoining the art room. All the rooms had been examined before 10 o’clock, and everything then appeared all right. A meeting of the Board this morning arranged for temporary means for carrying on the school work, preliminary steps being taken for reinstatement.