NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1242, 26 September 1911, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IBy ■ Telecraph-Press Association.) ' $ —; CONFLAGRATION. BRIGADE'S TIMELY ARRIVAL. Auckland, September 25. . Shortly before 2 o'clock this morning fire was noticed by a constable in a fruit and confectionery shop known as The Rest, in King's Court Buildings, Upper Queen Street, occupied by Mrs. Levy, in the centre of a new brick block owned by Neville Nowcoinb. About. the same time the neighbours wero aroused by loud screams. ■ , Mrs. Levy, who was sleeping, upstairs in the back portion of the premises, wan awakened by smoke. She hastily alarmed her. ton, Noel Levy, and the lady-help, Miss Nellie Woods, both of whom were also sleeping on the same Hat. By this time the fire had a good hold, and the retreat of the three inmates was cut off from tho back. They made their way through the dense smoke, and by breaking a front window gained access to the verandah top. The ;women were -terrified as groat* flames began to lick their way through tho roof. The brigade, however, arrived at this stage, and rescued the two women and the young man, all of whom were clad in night attire, from their dangerous position. . . ' The outbreak was suppressed in about twenty minutes, but not before tho building had been practically gutted. Little damage,* except by water and smoke, was done to the two shops adjoining. FIRE AND NO WATER. B'iSniieliniTStfpiemijer 25. Early this morning. an old two-storied house in Henry Street, owned by T. Davits and occupied by W. Stephens, metaphysician, was .totally destroyed- by fire.- together with all ,the contents. Owing to the absenco of water, the brigade was able to do nothing.:.-The origin' of tho outbreak is a mystery. The building was insured for .£2Cfl in the Phoenix office, and the furniture for .-8300 in- the Commercial Union office. GAOLED FOR THEFT. Wcstport, September 25. In the Supreme Court, James Russell, for theft of a watch and.chain from tho steamer Komata, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, nnd for theft of a Gladstone bag and contents, to six months, cumulative. For escaping . from custody no additional sentence was imposed. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges. DIVORCE CASES. Westport, September 25. In* tho divorce case, Batten-v. Batten, info's petition, on tho ground of desertion, a decree nisi was granted. Tlie suit was undefended. . ■ " A MONSTER PETITION. Christchui'ch, September 25. \A meoting of citizens was held in the Theatre Royal tc-night to consider what further steps should be taken to-induce the Government to hand oy.er the Provincial Council site to the City Council for a Town- Hall and municipal purposes. It was decided to promote a monster petition for presentation to Parliament. MERINOS'FROM RIVERINA. , * Timaru, September 25. Mr. Grant, of Gray's Hills, Mackenzie Country, expects by rail to-morrow 300 stud merinos from tho Berry Jerry Estate, Riverina. These were brought over by. tho Ulimaroa. They had a rough passage and ft few were lost. Tho draft ooneista of 140 rams, 120 ewes, and 40 lambs. TOLL-GATES. Hawera, September 25. The Toll-gato Commission's report concerning Ilawera and Waimato West County Councils finds that tho tollgatss cannot legally be abolished; that the charges 'are not excessive, and estimates that Waimato should pay Hawera .£582 annually. . TO SPAN THE WAIRAU. Blenheim, Soptember 25. Tho Pelorus Road Board has accepted the tender of S. and R. Atkinson, Westport, at ,£10,931 19s. for the erection of a bridge over the AVairau River at Renwick. There were seventeen tenders ranging up to nearly ,£IB,OOO.