FIRE IN HASTINGS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 127, 1 July 1929, Page 5

FIRE IN HASTINGS

OUTBREAK AT MASONIC HALL. VALUABLE REGAL1A LOST. Just as the Hasting Post Office clock was cliiming tlie liour of one yesterday morning the Hastings firebell gave tc-iigue to a loug aud loud peal, an alarm having been given for a iire in the Masonic Hall 111 Market street. The brigade lost no time in reaching the scene, and thanks to their good work a really wonderful save of the building and a big portion of its con^ents was recorded. Tlie building itself was fairly extensivelv damaged before the brigade couki get into full swing, and there is a possibility that it may be necessary to replace the building, but it will be some time before this can be decided. Most of the furniture and fittings were saved, but the(flames destroyed a great aniount of valuable regalia which belonged to the members. The loss of this regalia, which was the property of members of three lodges, cume at a very unfortuuate time, for it was all assembled in readiness for tlie cereinony to be performed by tlie GovernorGeneral at Havelock North on Wednesday next. As it will hc impossiblc to replace tho regalia by Wednesday, this will not onty be a great loss, but also a great inconvenience. Tlie cause of tlie outbreak is unknown, and it is assumed that the fusing of eleetric wires was responsible. The building was insured witli tbe National Tnsurance Company for- £1450 and the furniture and fittings for £550 in the same office. Jt is understood that the insurance did not cpver the regalia.