CONFLAGRATION AT NAPIER

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3927, 6 April 1929, Page 3

CONFLAGRATION AT NAPIER

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DESTROYED. Napier, Last Night. St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church was almost completely destroyed by a disastrous lire to-night, which raged for over two hours. The structure., a large wooden building with a steeple and bell tower, was one of the oldest hi Napier, having been erected in 1861. With the church went the pipe organ, one of the best instruiments of its kind in New Zealand. It was valued at about £2OOO, apart from its case of choice kauri. The church which was built of kauri, burnt like tinder. The seat of the tire! was near the organ and the hannes swept through, aided by a strong draught, till they reached the steeple and (within half an hour, the flames had 'wrapped it round. At one stage there, was danger.that it would collapse. By strenuous efforts, the firemen prevented this but they were unable to stay the lire’s progress elsewhere. When, after two hours and a half, the flames were forced down, nothing was left but a shell, a shadow of what had once been .a majestic church. The Sunday school, only a few yards from the main building, was easily, made secure and it escaped undamaged. From the church, nothing Was saved beyond a few valuable pictures out of the vestry and several books. The insurances are not ascertainable at present.