FIRE AT HOKIANGA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 327, 26 January 1871, Page 2

FIRE AT HOKIANGA.

It is with regret I write to inform you of an accident which occurred here on Thursday, the 19th inst., whereby a striving settler of the name of Beasley has been suddenly rendered penniless and homeless. Late in the evening of that day the whole of the family having gone to bed, Mr. Beasley was aroused by the crackling noise of fire, and had only time to save his family and a few articles of clothing before the whole building was in a mass of flames: in fact, Mr. Beasley was severely burnt whilst saving tho few articles of clothing referred to above. Beasley has a family of seven children to support, and this unfortunate occurrence has rendered that a great difficulty, as the whole of his tools (for he is a shoemaker) are destroyed, as well as leather and other requisites for carrying on his business. —The brig Australia, from Auckland, arrived here on the 15th instant, after a quick passage of three days.—l am sorry to have to tell you that nearly the whole of the wheat crops hero —and they were extensive aud good—have been destroyed by the late bad weather; in fact, this has been the worst season for crops in this district known for many years. — [Correspondent.]