PUBLIC LIBRARY DESTROYED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8056, 26 February 1906, Page 2

PUBLIC LIBRARY DESTROYED.

VALUABLE RECOUDS LOST. pku imikss assoliatiox Mki.mox, February '25. About three lliis IHOfbiDg :i live broke out in the Institute, Public Library and Museum. and the fire got(iUK under the iron roof, 11 good breeze also blowing, the buildings, with the exception of tin: museum, were completely gutted. A great many books mul some tilings from the museum were removed lo safety, but the loss is great. The library coillained many valuable anil some rare works, while Ihe museum, though not large, possessed some unique tilings. Tke museum was a comparatively new building attached to the institute, of which Munswell Bury was the architect, and the foundation stone was laid by i)r Hojhslelter, in August, 18511. Over the front portion of the library, Bidder Saxon, surveyor, had an office, and his records, and those of John Itochforl and others were destroyed, as well as their instruments. Saxon estimates his loss at £'l,2oi). T'lio institute building was 'insured for £6OO and the books for only £SOO, and Saxon's instruments etc., £l5O. It is impossible to estimate tlie loss. The building was left apparently safe at half-past nine the previous night.