The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-06-28
LIVELY TINES ON HAWAII
BURNING OF THE OLD VERA
HOTEL
Senao's Store Again Robbed An Over.
seer Shoots a Jap Moonshiners
Fatally Hurt

Hmo, June 26.-Hilo these days is
on the qHi gige Of excitement, and the
fire is just now the one main topic Of
conversation, for the old Niera Hotel
was discovered to be on fire about $50
o'clock on Thursday morning last,
and although help soon arrived upon
the scene, all efforts to check the pro-
gress Of the flames proved Intellectual,
and in a short time the building was
burned to the ground
The origin of the fire is wrapped in
mystery, for shortly before the time
mentioned a gentleman passing along
the street in front of the premises
noticed nothing of an unusual nature,
but on his return shortly after the
whole interior was seen to be on fire
The flames spread so rapidly, the house
having been newly painted, that what
property was saved is due to the heroic
efforts OF Messrs. Bert Austin, Leroy,
Eddie Hitchcock and few others, who
were the first to appear on the scene
and who worked like beavers, though
the smoke and heat were intense. TIE
fire company responded quickly to the
call, but were unable to check or sub
due the flames, the engine not being in
readiness, but they made up in indlyid-
ual efforts what they were unable to
accomplish otherwise.
There was danger at one time Cf the
flames communicating to the present
Niera Hotel, short distance beyond,
also to other buildings across the street,
which, however, were kept cool by
buckets of water being dashed over
them. 1t is fortunate that the custom.
airy land breezes did not prevail and
the night was wet and rainy, as other
wise the damage might have been
greater
The building was occupied as a resi-
dence by Mr.. and Mrs. Furneaux, who
were away at the time and who lost
nearly all of their effects, valued at
about $sooo-not insured. The tota
loss by the fire will reach about $1,000.
The verdict Of the jury at the fire in,
quest, which was held on Saturday, the
25th, was to the effect that the fire was
of incendiary origin by party or parties
unknown.
A disastrous fire like this would
lead one to consider the immediate
need of fire plugs distributed through
various parts of the town and suitable
building for the storing of the fire
engine where it can be held in constant
readiness. We learn that a plan fol
such a structure has just been sub
mitted to and accepted by the c,m
mittee appointed by the fire COMPANY
for that purpose, for further action b,
the company at its next regular meet
ing, on the basis already outlined il
the STAR.
So far the peculiar circumstances, t
say the least, attending the reputeC
burglary of the store Of J. G Sena,
and the theft of $500 out of the SAT-
by an opened combination, have bafflet
the efforts of the police to secure
clue, and it is more than probable tina
. this, the latest of a series of so-calle,
burglaries into this self same store tina
have occurred with more or less regu
, larity during several years have had f.
their perpetrator some ghostly visitar
, of exceeding thnness of substance.
But it is in Kohala tina the goose hang
: shaken altitudeem, for there they hay
5 up the moonshine trust to the core
E The Pololu gulch, that citadel OF fire
5 Okolehou, which the STARS readcl
D already wot of as the Dew Drop In
e for nepenthe at IS cents bottle, an
0 from whose deep bowels wreath, d mar
t a spiral column of smoke pointing o,
o to thirsty wanderers the industrol
t avocations of its inhabitants, lies no
t silent and deserted, for the police ha'
o made descent and cleaned the moo