FIRE DESTROYS OLD HOWICK LANDMARK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 210, 24 November 1927, Page 1

FIRE DESTROYS OLD HOWICK LANDMARK

HOTEL COMPLETELY GUTTED NO BRIGADE OR HYDRANTS Many boarders lost practically all their effects when the Howick Hotel, in Picton Street, Howick, was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. Shortly after 4 p.m. passers noticed flames breaking from a disused bathroom on the ground floor. Those inside the building were unaware of the outbreak until the alarm had been given. Fanned by a breeze, the flames swept quickly through the old building, and within an hour the hotel was gutted. There is no fire brigade in the district, nor are there street hydrants.

Some of the furniture, some of the stock from the bar, and a few personal effects were saved from the flames. The heaviest loser is Mrs. H. K. Gilmour, whose valuable collection of curios, gathered by her son, the Rev. M. Gilmour, a missionary 1 in Papua, was destroyed. The loss by Mr. A. Gerring, the town clerk of Howick, whose house was burnt about nine months ago, was not great in this case. The building, a wooden two-storeyed structure of 20 rooms, was built about 35 years ago. It was owned by Mr. T. Poland, of Kohimarama, and insured for £2,800 in the Southern Union Office. A policy for £7OO is held on the furniture. The tenant, Mr. T. E. Tasker, has a policy for £2OO over his personal effects. He had lost a large sum, having spent £6OO in renovations lately. The fire is said to have been caused through an electric wire fusing. An outbuilding and garage were saved by a bucket brigade.