FIRE AT CARRICKTON.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 196, 12 August 1873, Page 5

FIRE AT CARRICKTON.

Between nine and ten o’clock on Friday night, a tire broke out at Camckton, in a building khown as the Golden Link Hotel, lately vacated by Mr Thomas Hudson, and of which our townsman, Mr C. Colclough, was proprietor. The building stood on the brow of the hill just at the entrance to Carrickton, and the flames, fanned by a strong northerly breeze, could be seen from a great distance. The place is quite seven miles distant from Cromwell, but as Mr Oolclough’s building was almost the only one distinctly visible from Melmore-terrace in daylight, it was conjectured by a number of our townspeople that the burning pile could be no other than the unfortunate Golden Link Hotel. The arrival of Mr Alfred Short in Cromwell an hour later set all doubts at rest, and conjecture became certainty. Every vestige of the building, save a few sheets of iron, was consumed in an incredibly short space of time. The Golden Link was about to be re-opened under the management of Mr Short, who had on the previous day been granted a license for the purpose. Fortunately, the house was empty, although the stock-in-trade and a costly billiard-table were actually in process of conveyance to Carrickton when the fire broke out. Mr Colclough’s loss is a heavy one,-—probably not less than £250. He had just succeeded, a few days previously, in getting rid of a very troublesome tenant, who had tried every possible means to prevent the lawful owner from regaining possession, and who is said to have openly threatened vengeance when he was at last compelled to leave the premises. The police have been actively endeavouring to find some clue to the origin of the disaster, but up to the time of our going to press their efforts had proved unavailing. There is but little room to doubt that the fire was caused by an incendiary, and we sincerely hope the miscreant, whoever he may be, will be speedily brought to justice. An official inquiry into the circumstances is to take place qt Oarrickton to-day.