FIRE AT WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1610, 21 July 1887, Page 2

FIRE AT WINCHESTER.

DESTRUCTION OB’ THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

Yesterday morning a fire occurred at Winchester by which the school and a stable in its vicinity were destroyed. It appears that a hawker named Mcßobbie occasionally occupies a portion of the above-mentioned stable when visiting Winchester. On Tuesday night he slept in the buggyshed, and at about 12.80 he was aroused by his dog pul'ing at the blankets and whining. His horse, which was tied up in the stable, shortly afterwards commenced plunging and Mcßobbie then arose, and, noticing a glare from the school buildings, let loose the horse and gave the alarm. Mr Cooke, the schoolraas’er, was first on the ground, and found the main part of the school blazing fiercely. Messrs Ensor and Page shortly a£ erwards came up, and finding it impossible to save the school buildings turned their attention to the stable, which had now ignited. Mcßohbie’s dray and harness and some of his belongings were removed out of reach, but he lost £4 in notes, which were benea'h bis pillow, a box of books valued at 40s, a lot of cornsacks, and two watches. All efforts to save the stable were unavailing. The stable was the property of Mrs Swinton, and was leased to Mr James Northam, who utilised the loft as a store, and let the s'able and coach-house. Mr Northam had a stock of liftings for binders and other goods in the loft, which were insured in the Victoria Insurance Company for £l2O. There is no information as to the insurance on the stable. The school buildings were uninsured. There is absolutely no information as to the origin of the fire. It appears that no fire was lighted in the room in which the fire is supposed to have originated, owing to a new grate having been fixed that day. Mr Ensor, who was in the schoolroom at five o’clock, observed no signs of fire. A theory is advanced that there may have been some defect in the chimney of the infants’ room, the only place where a fire had been lighted.