PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 318, 12 October 1917, Page 3

PAPAKURA.

A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. PAPAKURA HOTEL DEMOLISHED. A fire broke out in the Papakura Hotel early this (Friday) morning and resulted in the building, together with the whole of its contents, being completely demolished. The licensee of the hotel is Mr J. Ryan, who bought Mr S. L. Bygrave out in the early part of this year, and the owners are Messrs Hancock and Co. The building was a twostoreyed structure of wood and comprised in all 22 rooms, the hars, billiard room, coffee room, kitchen, commercial room, etc., being situated on the ground floor, with bedrooms above. The outbreak was discovered by Miss Nellie McCabe, the waitress, who on awakening at -5.50 am. noticed the prevalence of smoke in her room, which was immediately above the kitchen. She at once aroused Mr Ryan and it was found that the kitchen was a blaze of fire. All the inmates of the house, in • eluding staff and boarders, ware promptly disturbed from their sleep but so rapidly did the flames spread that they were compelled to escape in their night-attire, leaving all their personal belongings in their rooms. In the absence of a water supply the hotel was soon on fire from end to end and all that now remains of the building are the chimney stacks. The stock of liquor, billiard table, furniture, etc., perished in the flames. Thanks to the efforts of a band of willing workers, who formed a bucket brigade, the adjoining premises of Messrs Wilson, blacksmiths, were saved from destruction. The origin of the fire is a mystery as everything was safe and intact in the kitchen when it was locked up over-night at 9.30 o'clock. Particulars of insurances are not yet available.

It is with regret that we record that Jessie, the ten-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs R. M. Gillespie, was taken seriously ill on Monday evening. She was conveyed to a private hospital in Auckland, where an operation became necessary. Her condition is still serious.

Despite the inclement weather the sale of work on Wednesday last, arranged by the schoolmaster, Mr J. Elliot, and staff, realized about £35, which is being devoted to the Gift Fund for Old Boys, now serving at the front. The stallholders were: Produce, Miss Anderson ; lollies, Miss Wcstwood; industrial, Miss Hardy. Miss Bull supervised the afternoon tea Most of the children took advantage of the penny and sixpenny motor car trips given by Mr Hunt. During the afternoon Mr Bickford, hon. organiser of the Red Cross fund, addressed the adults on the Bed Cross work and as a result a Young Ladies' Branch was formed to work in conjunction with the local Patriotic League.