THE ROYAL HOTEL FIRE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2696, 9 August 1894, Page 2

THE ROYAL HOTEL FIRE.

At Temuka the topic of the day has been the fire at the Boyr 1 Hotel, the smouldering embers of which still attract a share of public attention daily. On Tuesday firemen and others were engaged in raking over the debris, special attention beiqg devoted to the locality of Mr Mulhern’s bedroom, where he had a considerable sum of money. After a diligent search several sovereigns and half sovereigns, and some two or three pounds worth of silver was discovered very little the worse for the heat. Some few coins were fixed together, and these were destined as a memento for the Fire Brigade. Business was, if not carried on as usual, still not allowed to lapse, for a temporaiy bar was rigged up in the washhouse, at the rear of the old premises, and here a sort of sympathetic and gossipy trade was done. The fire has led to an invasion of fire inspectors, and head agents, and a lot of trouble has been gone to in the way of adjusting claims. As a matter of fact no stocks have been damaged by fire except that in Mr Roulston’s; the other business people suffer through removals, etc., and by mild pilfering. The fiud of bank notes was interesting. Under a magnifying glass the names of the banks of issue were plainly disceruable, but they appear to-have been rolled with numbers inwards and it will be difficult to make out these sufficiently well to allow a claim being made upon the banks. Mr Mnlhern has partially recovered, and was able to take a share of work yesterday. Mr T. Mulhern has a badly cut foot and wrist, and there are several minor casualties. We understand Constable Egan will be recommended to the Humane Society for special recognition.