BURNING OF THE HOKITIKA STATE SCHOOL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2889, 8 January 1886, Page 2

BURNING OF THE HOKITIKA STATE SCHOOL.

[From last evening's Guardian and Evening Star.] Early this morning, about three o'clock, the fire bell rang out an alarm, aud it was soon conjectured that the persistent manner in winch the bell was rung, that the conflagration was a serious one. And so it proved ; for it was found that the extreme end of the west wing of the State School was on fire. Shortly after the bell rung, flames were seen coming through the roof of this splendid building and soou tho whole of the west wing was in a blaze. The Fire Brigade arrived early on the scene, under Captain Michel, every member of the Brigade beiu« present, and the engine and apparatus were placed on the ground. But it was soon found that there was no water available and thus the Brigade had to content themselves with assisting to save what few articles could be got out of the centre and east win". Captain Michel ordered the steam fire engine to be taken to Gibson's Quay, at the end of Sale street, and endeavour to connect with the river and the burning building, but, unfortunately there was not enough hose to do this. The length required was 2300 feet and the Brigade could only muster up 2000 feet. In the meantime the fire burned rapidly. Soon the west wing was destroyed and the central tower became enveloped in flames. There was no wiud, and a dense column of flame and smoke rose straight above the doomed school-house. Hundreds of people had by this time collected on the spot, and several coach loads of people came from Kanieri to witness the spectacle, which such a great fire offered. The buildin" stands alone in extensive grounds, aud thus a view of the progress of the fire was obtained from all quarters. The tall central tower soon fell, and the east win» took fire, dense volumes of black smoke rolling through the roof. The east wing was soon consumed, and in a little more than an hour from the time the alarm was given, the buildin» was completely destroyed, only the brick chimneys remaining upright on the ground. The cause of the fire is wrapped in mystery, and so far there is not the slightest clue to it. It i s certain that it broke out first in the room known as the "Infants Room" which is situated at the extreme west end of the building. It is conjectured by many that the conflagration may have been caused by children playin« under the boildiug. There is a lar«e trap door, which leads under the flooring and is used for getting access to the ventilators, and it is possible that children by playing with fire have caused this heavy loss. The only other supposition is that the buildinw may have been wilfully set fire to. But against this there is the natural inquiry as to what object anyone could have had in committing such an act. The school has been closed for nearly three weeks for the midsummer holidays, a fact which renders the origin of the fire still more obscure. The loss is a heavy one, the building having, cost close on £4OOO, besides which much of the furniture and fittings have been destroyed. There was no insurance on . the building, the Government preferring not to incur the heavy cost of insuring all the school buildings in the colony. The building just destroyed was the finest in Westland, and was* at least, 180 feet long. The room in which the fire broke out was alone 66ft". in length. There were seven large class rooms, besides lavatories, cupboards, &c, indeed, everything requisite for the ample accommodation of a large school with a daily attendance approaching 400. The catastrophe is mach to lie legretted, and immediately steps must bo taken to provide new quaiters for the children. The facts have, it is understood, been telegraphed

to head quarters at Wellington, but no communication lias yet l>een receive] from the Education Department. Ii may be presumed that an inquest on the 6re will be held, and the sooner it is held the more chance there is of clearing up the obscurity surrounding the origin of the disaster.