FIRE AT WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 199, 21 October 1897, Page 2

FIRE AT WHATAWHATA.

Ouu Whatawhita correspondent writes : I regret to report another serious conflagration in our township. This took piace about S p m on Monday, and re suited in the total loss of the old Whatawhuta Hotel. Since the removal of the license to the new building, the old premises have been occupied by Mrs W. MoLoish, junr., and her brother, Graham Join..-tone, as a dwelling, and at the time of the fire they had, in addition to their household effects, several tons of potatoes, oats, boucdust, dairy utensils, saddles, and carpenter's tools, none of which were insured. On the evening in question Mrs McLuish and her brother wee si;t'ng in the front, room, having had tea ami left as they thought, eveiything all sale in the kitchen. However, they were soon aroused by an alarm of (he, and with the aid of willing helpers, first among whom were Messrs Parkes, Kempthorne and MacGregor, tlu-y succeeded in getting the furniture taken out through the front windows, but everything else was burnt, including the stable and outhouses ; tortunately there were no horses in the stable. The insurances are : Mrs Lane, Clod on building and C2") on -Elide,both (it is believed) intheN.Z.ollioe. It seems rathe) asingular coincidence that the old hotel building should, within a few days, meet the same fate as the new one, but it is the unexpected which always happens, and it is certainly a pity that Mrs McLeish and her brother had no insurance on their goods, which they can ill afford to lose. \Mis MiLeish writes to express her gratitude to all who assisted to save her furniture. In this connection Mr (leach, the licensee, is sti I in town, and 1 have not heard as to his plans for rebuilding : but, no doubt, this will soon be started. Higher tip tho river Mr E. M. Dickey, who lately lost his house by lire, has lost no time in stalling to put up a ne.v house, the contract for his timber being taken by Messrs Davys Bros., Kukuhia Mills.