Fire at Cambridge.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3752, 8 April 1908, Page 2

Fire at Cambridge.

About S.oO p.m. last evening a large two storeyed house at the bottom of Duke street, Cambridge, was totally destroyed by lire. It was the property of Mrs Esther Keesing, of Auckland, and was occupied by MiMcLean, who kept a boarding house. This removes one of the land marks of Cambridge, a portion of the building being about forty years \ old. In ancient days it was the old Duke of Cambridge Hotel, but then the building was much nearer the street; for when the license was I given up a great portion of the old structure was removed, and the other j was moved back and a new part add- j ed, and it was understood at the t ; me that Mrs Keesing expended something ' like £3OO on it. The fire brigade j were quickly upon the spot last even- ' ing, but despite" all they could do ! the building was soon consumed, j This house was run for many years : as an hotel by the late Mr R. Kirkwood; but when he left, 20 years ago, the license lapsed and Mrs Kees- | ing subsequently took it over when it was sold by the sheriff. If this old place could have spoken, it could have | told some tales concerning the doings of the early clays, which would make I interesting reading. It was insured in the New Zealand office, but the amount is unknown, while the furniture was covered to the extent of j £125 in the Victoria office. There was no one at home at the time of \ the outbreak, and when the alarm j was sounded the lire had a good hold, ! and the flames were bursting through j the roof. Two chairs and a canary \ were all that were saved. Four j lodgers were staying in the house at j the time; one is reported to have lost £lO and another £2 in cash, while a travelling salesman lost £4O worth of drapery. j