Stoke Orphange Destroyed

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 20

Stoke Orphange Destroyed

A little before 3 o'clock on Monday morning the Boys' Orphanage at Stoke was completely destroyed by fire.i Mr. Fitzgerald, the head master, states that ab^ut half-past two he discovered a fire, and traced it to the boys' dressing room, in the upper storey, and at the north-east end of the building. In a very short time the fire spread. He at once removed two boys who were in hospital, and got the other boys from the burning place. There were 112 boys in the institution, and so far as could be ascertained all were got out safely and without mishap. They escaped in their nightclothes, though some secured blankets. A small harmonium and some few other things were saved from downstairs, but the lads were left without clothes to wear.

When the roll was called William Nelson, aged eight and a half years, was missing. Some of the boys said that they had seen him after the fire was discovered, and it was thought he strayed on to the hills. Search parties were out during the following day in quest of him, but were unsuccessful. A press message received on Tuesday stated that his remains had been found in the ruins.

The insurances are : £3000 on the building, £500 on the furniture, and £100 on the workshop in the South British Insurance Company. Of this sum £1000 is reinsured in the National and £500 in the New Zealand offices.

The splendid discipline at the school ensured the saving of life. The whole of the boys except the lad who lost his life were marshalled by Schoolmaster Beach, who sent them back, for what they could save, and then marched them down the stairs like a troop of soldiers.

The total loss is estimated at £10,000, and the loss over insurance at £6000. The boys are housed at present in the woodshed and other outhouses. A supply of clothing was forwarded shortly after daylight. Gifts of clothes, boots, etc., are greatly needed, as everything was lost. Archbishop Redwood was at Oamaru when the melancholy news of the destruction of the Orphanage reached him by wire from the Very Rev. Father Lewis, S.M., V.G. It was naturally a great* shock to his Grace, but he bore it bravely, and his courage under the blow was greatly sustained by the deep sympathy and proffered help of Bishop Verdon, Monsijrnors Mackay, O'Leary, and the other clergy that were present in Oamaru in connection with the opening of the Basilica. Offers of generous and practical assistance were also made by Bishop Verdon and the other clergy present, and strong hopes were expressed that the noble work done by the Stoke Orphanage and Industrial School would suffer only, at worst, a temporary check.

A further list of subscriptions to the building fund of the Christian Brothers' Novitiate, Dublin, is published in this issue....