FIRE. WAIMATE PUBLIC LIBRARY DESTROYED.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 38, 28 August 1900, Page 3

FIRE. WAIMATE PUBLIC LIBRARY DESTROYED.

The largest fire that has taken place in Waimate for some years occurred on Sunday morning. About 3.20., Messrs T. Kane and J. G. Small, who were staying at Mr J. O'Lejvry's Empire Hotel, were awakened by the barking of a dog. They at once noticed the glare of a fire and going to the front of the hotel saw flimes fo-irstiru? from the Library bnikl-i-igs which is dvectly opposite. ?,[r Kiioo at once van to the Fire, "B-i gade Station and rang tin- 1 b '11. Tli" building which is one of th<* olWest public buildings in Wai.■siimi", consisted of seven rooms* T 10 Salvatiou Army occupied the lull in the north end as a barracks, the south end hall, known as the Libnry Hall, being just lately let to Mr J. Moore, jun>\, for a cabinetmakers shop. Adjoining 1 the Avmy Barracks at the front ■\vis the P.iblic Reiding Room, then the Subscribers' Room and ,ano k her room occupied as an office by Mr M. S-nith, proprietor of the Waimate " Times'" newspaper. At the back of: these .rooms were two others used by the Times as a composing and michinery room respectfully.. Tiie fire seemed to have started ia the Public Reading Room and when discovered, had burst •th.-oagli the roof. The morning was fortunately calm and the only . Imilding iv dauger of catching fiie was a shed used as a work shop by Mr F. Smith, painter. Sevei'A 1 windows of the Empi-e Hotel, however, were broken by the heat, besides some in the simple rooms of the hotel. The Fire Brigade, *vho, during the last few weeks have earned groat praise, were soon on the spot. The pump was .•atitioned at the Kuox Church ■cvner tank, and a stream of water was soon playing on Mr 1. Smith's workshop. The bri4,m.1p were unable to cope with the main fire, which had now -iwuned very large proportions. The members of the biigj.de and a number of willing h-uids 3i*lpe<l to remove Mr Moore's sloA io a place of safety, about one-half being got ont. Most of Mr F. Smith's tools, etc., and a 'buggy were also removed from !fra"\vorkshop safely. The conflvgratio'i gvadnully subsided «ntil nothing remained but a smn'dng heap of ruins. Following so close on the two lite fires, the circumstances attached to this one seem very su-ipicioas. Mr Moore had only wcupied the buiiding for about three weeks, as had also Mr i Smith. The fire apparently! ■suited in the reading room, the i <loor of which is usually left open on Saturday night to allow the: public k) get in on Sundays. The building was originally ;ivd as a school, then as the Borough Council Chambers and lately as a Public Library, and built about thirty-two years ag^, it bding about one of the oidsst in tliij town. The Library Committee had ihrir premises insured for £400 and ih-e Salvation Army theirs for -£200. Mr Moore was, we understand, insured for £150.

While everyone inuafc regret the •serious loss to all parties in the unfortunate preuiisos, we desiru especially to express our regret afe our contemporary's sael luck. We sincerely sympathise with Mr Smith in his misfortunes, and if any human fiend has been at the bottom •of these disastrous fires, no one more than ourselves could heartily "wish to see him caught and punUhetl to the fullest extreme o£ the lav/. No petty differences between men or opposition can prevent our feeling sorry foe a gentleman and his Wily who are so frequently overwhelmed with misfortune.