The ringing of the Lynch and Lovell Street fire bells simultaneously, gave the alarm, and soon hundreds of residents were on the scene.

So quickly had the flames spread that any attempt to save the building was useless, so those who assembled set about saving what they could.

Mr Roberts was the only occupant of the cottage and so was awakened by the suffocating smoke and cries of fire.

He was only able to save a few personal effects, and several boxes, etc, were also secured.

Beyond these everything was destroyed.

Mr. Roberts is a dealer, and his wagonette and two horses were in the stable at the rear of the burning building.

The horses were released and the wagonette dragged out to safety.

The high wind prevailing was blowing away from the only other residence nearby ,viz, that of Mrs. McCabe, and it was fortunate that this was so, otherwise all the buildings on the 'island' may have been destroyed.

At the height of the fire, a fierce thunderstorm with brilliant lightning was approaching, and this, combined with the burning building, made a very inspiring sight.

The members of the Young Fire Brigade were in attendance, but owing to the building being about 35 years old, and built of slabs, it was not possible to render much assistance.

Being situated as it was, too, the house was difficult to approach and the fire engine nearly overturned in the creek.

When a well was discovered, it was found the pump would not lift the water.

The firemen were thus helpless.

Mr Roberts was the only occupant of the house at the time of the fire, his wife and daughter, we believe, being on a trip to Temora.

The building was insured for 120 pounds and the contents for 80 pounds in the London and Lancashire Assurance Coy through the local agent Mr CJ Metcalfe.

(Young Witness Tuesday, March 30, 1915).

Laxen's Garage

Laxen's Garage and the Garden Miniature Golf Links was in Cloete Street between the present Ambulance Station and the S and C Club. Bobby Laxen married Mrs Marina's daughter on October 6, 1915.

Robert Stanley Laxen was an engineer residing at Young, born Aylsham, Norfolk, England, age 36 and Minna Marion Marina, age 26, was a Spinster living at Young. Her father was Carlo Caesar William Marina and her mother was Helen Taylor.

The Garden Miniature Golf Links opened on the corner of Cloete and Lynch Streets, beside the Hotel Young in about 1930.

In the 1920s there had been a blacksmith's shop on the site, but it was actually in from the corner, the corner itself being vacant.

There were also saleyards in there between Laxen's and Marina Street.

The 'Shell' building on the right was Laxten's Garage, which later became Hammond and Hanlon's bulk shed.

Mrs Marina owned the land on the corner and gave it to the ambulance Service and the present ambulance station was built there.

Young later had another mini-golf course in the Town Hall Block between Watson's and Kinlysides. (Maroney, notes for Old Young 111, including interview with Alex Christian.)

Oddfellows Arms Hotel, Young

The Oddfellows Hall was built on the northern side of the old Presbyterian Church, for the Burrangong Order of Oddfellows and opened in 1871, alterations and additions were completed by 1875.

In 1874 The Oddfellows Arms Hotel was operating in Lynch Street next to the Oddfellows Hall, the license was held by William George Vickers.

Vickers was an entrepreneur who had made his money by supplying water to the diggers in the early days, he obtained the water from the site of the present day Presbyterian Church.

The Oddfellows Arms still trades today under the title of the Hotel Young.

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