FIRE AT WAIKINO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4618, 26 October 1923, Page 2

FIRE AT WAIKINO.

SCHOOL BUILDING BURNED. DELIBERATE ACT SUSPECTEDThe Waikino Public School, the scene of the tragedy which took place this day last week, was completely destroyed by fire shortly after 3—. o’clock on Wednesday evening last. The news of the fire, though welcomed by those who heard it,, caused®, somewhat of a sensation. The -glare in;the sky caused by the blaze was noticed iri Waihi. At the time of the alarm there was a meeting in progress in the Miners’ Union Hall of Waikino residents, who had gathered tp voice a public protest against the isolation of the present buildjng and to urge its removal. The- meeting was at once closed, and .the people rushed up the hill to the school, but foimd that it was past hope of saving. There is a general feeling that the. fire was not accidental, but was started as an effective method of wiping put the setting of the tragedy which had made the idea of sending the children back to the school abhorrent ? .to most parents in the district The school has been closed since last Friday, and this, as well as the fact that a otrong breeze was blowing at the time, facilitated such an act of incendiarism as is suspected.