FIRE AT PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 129, 7 January 1916, Page 2

FIRE AT PUKEKOHE.

A two-stjrev wooden building, which had been identified with early days in Pukekohe, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. Originally used as a day school and on Sundays as the Presbyterian Church ol the tfist'ict on ths old settlement known as "The Paddock," tin structure was some 15 or 16 years ago discarded in favour of the existing Presby tcrian Cuhrch and wa-< purchased by Mr John Bilkey, who removed it to his farm on Pukekohe Hill. There it served es a waggon and implement shed, living quarters t'jr Mr Alec King, one ol Mr Bilkey's employees, being provisioned in the lift. On Wednesday at midday Mr King proceeded there for luncheon, but used no tire or lighting. About (j p.m., whilst engaged on the farm, he noticed llames issuing from ths portion of tin building, and th 3 alarm being conveyed by telt hone to the towu lha lirebell was rung and tbe services of the Fire Brigade vi ere requisitioned. As the distance was long and hilly for the firemen to respond to the call Mr Sam Mills, with characteristic good-nature, kindly profcrred the use of his motor c;r to convey th2 members nl the Brigade and the hose-reel to the scene of the lire. As a result the car loaded a dozen or more strong and towing the hoae reel, was soon on its way to the scene of the conllargation. The nearest hydrant was, however, some 200 or 300 yards away from tlia building that was in flames, hut the necessary i3rgth of rnse was run out and the firemen were on arrival quickly engaged on playing on the burning mass, and aho un an outbuilding situated on the east side near at hand. At the time a high wind was blowing, but fortunately its direction wai from the west, which lessened the danger of the flames spreading tj the cutbuilding already referred to and to Mr John Bilkey's residercs on tin eastern side. Nevertheless it was principally due to the active and sma't exertions of the Brigade that the adjoining premises were all preserved intact. Vary quickly many willing workers were on hard and they succeeded in removing to places ot safety the conveyances and the greater part of the other contents of the lower portion of the premises attacked by the fire. Gradually the efforts nf the Brigade told and the fire wss at lenrgh master.-d, but not befoi'3 the building WBs practically gutted. The cause ot ths fire is unknown. When Mr King left his qjartrea at midday evertylliing was apnparently intact. Mr rJilkey estimates the valu3 of the destroyed builJinz at £l5O, which is only to a very small exterT covered by insurance. Some X'lQ damage was all) done to contents on which there wiio i;o insurance. Mr King lost the whole oi his bebngings, including a watch, vaiued in all at £1 J. When all danger wa3 averted (he liremen returned to their station in Mr Mills' motor-car. and subsequently as a result of the overloading and the strain ol the journey made up the hill a spring of the car snapped, thus eaushg Mr Mills no little expense ani inconvenience.

The lire served an object leesoti in tho way of demonstrating th.it the Fire Brigade's services can bo utilised to advantage on tho outskirts of the borough, tho opinion nf the residents in those paits having previously been that the Fire Brigade practically only existed for the benefit of tho couiiuuuity of the old Town Board area.