GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Evening Post, Issue 14, 23 February 1865, Page 2

GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

The s.s. Prince Alfred arrived here last night from Nelson and Sydney, bringing later news from Auckland and Taranaki, received at Nelson by the s.s. Rangatira and Storm Bird. The advices from Auckland are to the 18th inst, five days later than previous dates. A destructive fire occurred at Auckland on the 15th, by which two hotels, four boarding houses, and twelve shops were destroyed. The fire broke out at the Victoria Hotel, Shortlaud street, at about half-past two in the morning, and mainly owing to the want of a sufficient supply of vater for the engines, the flames spread with fearful rapidity. The following is a list of the property destroyed: — Victoria Hotel (Allan and Hill) ; Mr. Posseniskie's, tailor and outfitter ; Mr. Halyday's, upholsterer ; Mr. W. Rattray'g, draper ; Mr. R. Harapton% tailor ; Mr. James's new Q.C.E. ; Bedford boarding house ; Mr. Montague's, toy and music dealer ; Mr. Cucksay's empty shop ; Star of Peace eating house, O'Brien's ; Victoria boarding house, Powell's ; Mr. Bowden's, tailor ; Mr. White's, baker; Mr. Canning's bakery, injured; two dwelling houses,* Mr. Phillips' s store; Loan Office; Caledonia boarding house, Jackson. An inquest was held upon the fire but was not concluded when the steamer lelt Auckland. Hugh Carleton, Esq., the Provincial Secretary, was much injured at the fire, in consequence of a bag of biscuits, thrown from one of the burning houses, having fallen upon him William Thompson has not yet surrendered. He is said to be in the Tauranga district. The long expected southern natives of the East^Coast are reported in the neighborhood of Maketu, and the friendly Arawas are preparing for an attack. Important news was received from Tauranga, which related that the Hau, high priest of the Pai Mariris, with fifty-six others, including the great chief Hori Kingi Tupaea, bad been taken prisoners. The correspondent of the Cross supplies the following particulars : — " Colonel Greer having received information that these rebels had by some means been permitted to pass through the district of Maketufunniolested, despatched Mr. llice, the Government interpreter at this station, to Maketu, to make inquiries into the truth of the information, and also into the particulars. Upon Mr. Rice's arrival at Maketu he at once put himself into communication with Major Kirby^ who gave him every information of the supposed direction taken by the rebeb. This information being adhered to, Mr. Rice proceeded towards the Lakes, and luckily came across the rebels. Previous instructions, however, were received from Colonel Greer, at Maketu, that should they be met with they were to be made prisoners. Upon Mr. Rice coming up with them, he found they were prisoners taken by the Arawas, and were being escorted to Maketu Fort. This took place on the 10th in&t. The friendly chiefs of the district at once recognised among them Hori Tupaea, Ngaiterangi; Tepeka, Ngaiteranei; Tuitimihana, Ngatekoru, Waikato; Kuaha, Ngatehaua, Waikato; Hikamate, Ngatemataku, Arawa; Hone, Ngatehe, Maungatapu. More than sixty prisoners were thus taken, the leading men of whom were stnt to Auckland." The first sod of the Auckland and Drury Railway was turned by his Honor the Superintendent, on the 16th inst, at Newmarket. The Taranaki Herald of the 11th inst, says : — " It was known here early in the week that a considerable body of natives, reported to be 300— including Ngatikahungunu, Ngatimaniapoto or Waikato, and Ngatiruanui — had arrived in the neighborhood of Warea to the southward, and that another large body of Ngatimaniapoto, under Rcwi, had arrived at Waitara. Colonel Warre, with a force of 300 men,

went dow n tbe coast, past Warea, to reconnoitre on Wednesday, but only a few natives were met with, who fired at long range ; but many fires were seen some miles inland. Lafe Jast evening, however, news came into town that a few of the enemy had been seen at llatapihipihi, hardly four miles from town. This, of course, caused a great deal of stir, and some uneasiness, as several small parties are out in the bush thistling, &c, and besides some extra precautions against attack at the various posts. A force, consisting we believe, of Bushrangers summoned hastily for the occasion, and troops, left town some hours before daybreak this morning to see what the natives are doing." It is reported by the Taranaki natives that William King intends to attempt the storming of Mataitawa. This may be the case, as on all prior attacks we have received due notice. For nearly a fortnight before No. 3 was assaulted, the subject was spoken of in garrison.