ANGLICAN CHILDREN’S RESORT DESTROYED.

Shannon News, 10 April 1923, Page 3

ANGLICAN CHILDREN’S RESORT DESTROYED.

HEAVY LOSS IN MYSTERIOUS OUTBREAK. POXTON. Last Night. After a period of immunity from fire, Foxton has again been disturbed. On Sunday evening an outbreak occurred in the town, by which a dwelling was gutted, and to-night, just as residents were preparing to retire, a big glare in the direction of the Heads caused another shock of\ excitement. This time, the victim of the flames proved to be the large beach house erected by the Anglicans of Palmerston North, as a holiday resort for the children of All Saints’ Home, and before many minutes, it was a charred ruin, everything having been completely burned, involving the church in heavy loss. The insurance of £4OO will hardly cover more than half the value of building and furniture. The house was erected about two years ago, and was designed to accommodate about 40 children and the staff of the Home. Two large dorr mintories, with roomy bunks, were used as sleeping quarters, and there was a large living room, besides two or three smaller rooms for the staff. Mystery surrounds the destruction of the building. One report received states that a resident of the beach saw a light in one of the rooms at about 7 o’clock, but did not take any notice of it until the outbreak of the fire an hour and a-half later. This is taken as an indication that someone had broken into the premises. The Foxton police, however, visited the scene immediately the alarm was given, and after making careful investigation, they report that they could find nothing suspicious. The building was accupied at Easter by the Methodist Young Women’s Bible Class Camp, but since then no one has had access to it. The loss is a: heavy one to the children of the Home, who found it a great boon during the summer months.