The Evening Star. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2534, 31 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

TniiKE can be no doubt as to the advisability of some such restriction respecting stacking of timber ns that contained in the new bye-law proposed by the City Council on Wednesday. The experience of almost every large town at Home proves how terrible are the consequences of fire when it is coiunmni-

cuted to highly combustible materials \ such ns timber. When it once gets fairly hold, no power at our command can check its fierceness, and the heat is •so great that, on one occasion, the writer of this article saw a mill take fire at the side near the top, although nearly one hundred feet high, and at least one hundred feet horizontally from the burning timber, notwithstanding a full supply of water well served. Mr Barnes's objection is, however, deserving of due weight. In all regulations affecting trade, care must be taken to avoid imposing restrictions not warranted by the necessities of the case. But experience is a stern teacher ; and though some inconvenience may be imposed upon certain firms engaged in particular brandies of business, it is not difficult to show that they are really equally interested with the public in having their property placed at a respectable distance from possible sources of fire. IS 1 or need wo refer to any other evidence than that afforded by the fire some weeks ago iu Stuart street. Had it not been for the utmost watchfulness on the part of the I ire Brigade, and the efforts of the Distil levy Company, the stacks of wood near the burning warehouse must have taken lire ; and had that been the case, no one can predict the extent ot ruin that would have ensued. The misfortune of such a contingency is, that, necessity compels the choice of two evils on the part of the Fire Brigade : they have to decide whether it is best to save that which is untouched, or to concentrate their efforts in endeavoring to rescue that which is in course of being destroyed. In the one case, they endeavor to prevent the spread of the fire ; in the other, they endeavor to extinguish it. It is plain that this : divided attention weakens both efforts, if attempted; and ensures an amount I of loss that would not otherwise have I been suffered. The advisability of such | a regulation as is proposed is therefore | apparent, not only for the sake of the j owners of stacks of timber, but of the j surrounding property. There is one | point, however, which we think is not i sufficiently clear and definite. It is ! required by the proposed bye-law that j “ if any building is erected subsequent “ to the storage of any timber, and “ nearer to the same than the distance “ prescribed by the regulations,” the timber shall be removed : but it does not say at whose expense. We are aware that many contingencies might i arise that would render it fair under j one set of circumstances for the merj chant to remove it, or under other cou- | ditions for the person building. For I instance, wore notice given at the time ! of stacking the wood, that within a given period the land might be required for building purposes, the owner of the timber, in view of that notice, would fairly be entitled to pay the cost of removal. We give this instance merely as one of many possibilities that should enter into the construction of the bye-law ; for, iu the absence of such proscription, it may lead to much wrangling and litigation. While on this subject of precaution against fire, we would again press upon the attention of the City Council that some arrangements are necessary for the preservation of order, and to prevent the Fire Brigade being hampered by the crowd in the prosecution of their duties. The turmoil and excitement j of the elections rendered useless any attempt to diaw attention to such subjects during their progress. Those arc over; and now that we are settling clown to hard work and every-day occupations, let ns be thankful that we have been spared the practical experience that this very important duty has been neglected. Wo pointed to its necessity at the last fire ; and we shall not oeise to press it upon public attention until some organisation has been effected. At present the machinery at command is insufficient. The police are not sufficiently numerous, even with the aid of the Volunteers. In addition to them, wo should think there might he a number of special constables, trained to the necessary duties. Wo venture to say, woro this pi all adopted, any number would step forward to volunteer their services, and the result would be seen in the increased efficiency of the Brigade ami the saving of life and property.

lately occupied by Captain Hutchison, was discovered to be on tiro by som'e persons living close by. Every, effort was made to extinguish the flames, but without _ avail. The Uouso, which has been Unoccupied for three months, was totally destroyed, was uninsured, and whs valued at about L6OO. It is surmised that s-une persons went into it yesterday, and foolishly dropped lighted matches on the floor.

Judicial.—Steps are being taken for the immediate establishment of a circuit sitting of the Supreme Court at Lawrence hdf yearly ; and the District Court, presided over by Judge Ct ay, will hold quarterly sittings and hear criminal eases up to seven years’ penal servitude. Judge Chapman visited Lawrence last week, in order to ascertain whether the Courthouse and Gaol afforded sufficient accommodation for the increased amount of business which would be transacted under the new arrangements. According to the Tnapeka Times, his Honor suggested several alterations and additions to the Courthouse and Gaol.

A FILIBUSTERING EXPEDITION FOR Australia. — The Anpis, of March 16, says ; —V/e have received from Sydney a telegram which, although it conics from a private source, is thoroughly reliable. It is to the effect that the Earl of Behnore has received a telegram from the Secretary'of State intimating that there is a probability of the Colon cs being visited by filibustering expeditions from the United States of America, and advising him to prepare for such an occurrence. His Excellency the Governor of Victoria and the Chief Secretary decline to give any information on the subject, but there is not the slightest doubt that Viscount Canterbury has received a similar message. Princess Theatre.—The “Octoroon ” was produced last night, the chief characters being distributed as follows : Zoo (Miss Carry George), Dora Sunnyside (Miss Lizzie Bush), Mrs (’eyton (Mrs Edwin Bryer), Salem Scuddcr (Mr 1!. IV. Lawrence), Jacob M'Clnskey (Mr G. W. Collier), and Uncle Pete (Mr Walter Hill). As a whole the drama was tolerably successful, Tut we have certainly scon our compact little company to better advantage than in this the latest of their productions. No doubt, on repetition, many contretemps, unavoidable on a first nigh* - , will disappear, and tlv; general good effect thereby he much heightened. The drama will-be‘played'during the remainder of the week.

The Glutiia Railway.—The sections of the Southern Trunk Railway for which tenders are wanted, commence at Mr Russel's propcity, Caveisham, and end at the foot of the Chain hills, within about two miles of the Taieri plain. The whole length o: the line to be contracted for and already 1, t, will bo about sixVmiicK. This extension will not only afford work for a considerable number of men through the winter, but when completed will bring Dunedin in almost immediate communication with the Green Island coal district, and with the Taieri Meat Preserving Company’s works, as well as the flour mills and f. 11-inongery istahlish mrut on the Kaikorai. The advantage to Ihe City needs no comment nor recommendation.

The New Reef. —We have this week to announce a discovery which may prove to bo one of the most important yet made -in connexion with quartz-mining in this district. A new lode, showing a width of four feet at the top, and believed to bo the main line of reef for which various parties have been prospecting on the Carrick Range, was accidentally found the other day, by Messrs James Aitchisou and Thomas Pain, about a mile north-west of the Elizabeth Creek, and between .Smith’s and Pipeclay Gullies. Gold can lie seen in the stone without the aid of a glass, and by simply washing a dishful of the stuff, without crushing, a good prospect can be obtained, TJjsre arc several different kinds of stone in the reef, audthis circumstance, when v ewed in connection with the great of the lode, would seem to indicate that dm nev/lydiscovered reef is one of which the whole of the claims on the Kliz.abe.h Re d are but branches. Messrs Aitchison and party have of course applied for a prospecting claim. We are informed that water-power sufficient to drive a small crushing-machine is available iu the immediate vicinity of the now line of reef. —fromwell A tyus.

A meeting of officers of the Ist Battalions Dunedin Artillery and Dunedin Naval is announced to he held on Monday next, at 5 p.m., on business of importance. We have received the March number of the Illustrated New Zealand Herald, which contains a very lifelike engraving of the late Rev. Dr. Burns, and a number of Australian views, including a full page one of Bishop Goold bestowing the Papal benediction iu St, Francis Cathedral, Melbourne.