BOWLING PAVILION DAMAGED BY FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 253, 16 January 1928, Page 9

BOWLING PAVILION DAMAGED BY FIRE

AUCKLAND CLUB’S LOSS A loud noise of falling roof tiles and breaking glass was the first intimation of the outbreak in the Auckland Bowling Club’s pavilion in Grafton Road. Residents nearby were awakened to witness a spectacular blaze as flames from the burning building burst through the roof, illuminating the neighbourhood for half a mile around. Before the fire was controlled a large portion of the east wing was gutted. The club social room suffered extensive damage, and many portraits of former officers were destroyed. The outbreak, which must have started shortly after 3 a.m., was first noticed about 3.30, when the alarm was communicated from several sources, almost simultaneously, to the Central Brigade. Mr. W. Low, greenkeeper, who lives adjacent to the p»vilion, was roused by the crash of failing tiles and muffled explosions. Investigating, he found the front of the building burning strongly, and the flames making their way rapidly to the second storey. At this time the the Central engines were away at the fire at Casey’s timber mill, in Freeman’s Bay. Advice of the fire was sent to the Ponsonby brigade, which responded at once, and arrived within a few minutes. ' — _ An excellent pressure of water was available owing to the low situation of the building. In less than 20 minutes Superintendent T. Williams and his men, using two leads of hose, had the blaze under control. Although considerable damage was done in several rooms, the Ponsonby brigade effected a splendid save by confining the fire to the east side of the structure. Shortly after the Ponsonby brigade’s two engines had commenced fighting the fire, one of the Central machines arrived from Casey’s to lend assistance. However, no help was necessary. ORIGIN UNKNOWN Mr. Low cannot account for the outbreak. He stated that the pa-.yion was locked at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening, at the conclusion of a club meeting, and no one had visited the building since then. The main green, and croquet lawn adjacent, were littered with fragments of glass and broken tiles, and their surfaces were considerably marred. The present pavilion was erected in 1914, and was a fine timber structure, supporting a twin-gabled roof of Marseilles tiles. The Auckland Bowling Club is the mother of such institutions throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Founded in 1861, this club antedates the premier Australian club by three years. Its present officers are: President, Mr. G. J. Mackav; and secretary, Mr. S. Coldicutt. The insurance on the building totalled £2,000 and on the contents £1,750, both being with the New Zealand Insurance Company.