Finding that it was a hopeless task to save the mill, all hands directed their attention upon the grain store, which was able to withstand the flames through being divided from the main building by a brick wall. Luckily, the efforts of the fire fighters resulted in the store being saved, but the contents, which comprised a stock of oats and barley, were considerably damaged by water and smoke.
There was no wheat in the building at the time of the fire, which appears to have originated near the drying kiln, although Mr Henry Harraway, jun., says that he has not the remotest idea as to the cause of the fire.
The mill was working as usual on Friday, grinding oats and barley, and when closed for the day at 5 p.m. everything seemed to be all right.
No one stayed on the premises at night.
The mill that is now burnt out was erected in brick 26 years ago, on the site of the original wooden mill with stone plant that stood for many years as the chief landmark in Green Island and was destroyed by fire.
The insurances are £4000 on the contents of the grain store, £700 on the building and £5945 on the mill.
• The unpromising weather outlook early on Saturday gave place to better conditions, and the afternoon proved very pleasant for the dedication ceremony of the Columba Girls' College, at Bishopscourt.
A very large gathering of friends of the college assembled on the lawn in front of the building.
Teachers and pupils were drawn up on the left of the officiating ministers and members of Presbytery, who, arrayed in their academic gowns, stood on the entrance steps.
The opening ceremony was a long and elaborate one, largely designed to recall historic associations and customs of the Presbyterian Church.
The formal proceedings opened with the recitation by the Rev. W. Gray Dixon of Scripture sentences, after which the Rev. H. H. Barton, moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery, offered prayers.
• The Otago quota of the fifth reinforcements left Dunedin by special train in company with men from Southland, who were to be joined by various troops at different stations in North Otago and Canterbury, en route for Trentham, to undergo training until they take their departure for the front. The quota was not up to the full strength, though a few days longer would have sufficed to bring it almost so.
The shortage having been made up in the North Island, a number of men who volunteered after the recruiting meeting on Thursday could not be sent on, but these will find a place in the next quota, leaving in April.
All the arrangements in connection with the departure of the Dunedin men worked with true military precision, despite the fact that the men were closely hemmed in by thousands of citizens who assembled to see the men away.
A great percentage of the crowd was composed of relatives and friends; but a great many other people were present out of nothing but interest and the desire to do the men honour and give them a fitting send-off.
A civic function had been arranged and was duly carried out, speeches being delivered by the Mayor and representative citizens, and the men marched to the station via High, Princes and Stuart streets. - ODT, 15.2.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
