BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3044, 20 November 1872, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

{From the New Zealand Press Association.)

Wellington, November 19. A proclamation issued to-day fmtber prorogues Parliament to the 18th February. The inquiry into the ■wreck of the City of Newcastle was held to-day, when evidence was taken. The decision of the Couit holds that “ extreme negligence was shown by the captain in not paying sufficient attention to the distance run at the rate of speed, and m not making proper allowance for the tide, m consequence of which the ship’s position was entirely mistaken when the light was seen. This appears to have been the chief cause of the disaster. Leaving the deck in charge of Bowler, who had never served articles before, for two hours before the ship struck, was an act of rashness calculated to involve the most dangerous eons'quences, although there is nothing in the present ease to show that the disaster was in any way brought about by him.” The matter’s certilicate was canUa:Alc notifies that the following bonuses*are offered in compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives regarding Colonial Industries LoIKK) tor the production of 1000 tons of good pig iron ; LIOOO for the first 100 tons of steel manufactured from iron sand ; L2OUO for the first 050 tons of beet-root sugar produced ; LhoOO for the first 100 tons of printing paper manufactured by machinery ; and 4s per cwt for cured fish, dry or pickled, exported for consumption abroad. November 20. The Governor has received official intimation of his appointment to the Governorship of Victoria, hut will probably not leave the Colony before March, He will visit Canterbury and Dunedin, next month ; and leaves to-day for Manawatu on a vis.t to Mr Fox. Exhibits for the Vienna Exhibition will be received till April, 1573._ The hub-pendml hopes as there is still time, representative exhibits might be forwarded, in addition to catalogues of specimens, from those selected by Dr. Hector. , , , , , Special instructions have been forwarded to the Agent-General to accelerate immigiation matters, to give special attention to Ireland, and to place the Scotch agencies upon their original footing. The Warwickshire sailed for Auckland on the 4th inst., with 15U passengers ; and the Forfarshire was to leave for Wellington on the 12th, with 400. The N.Z.S. N. Company offer to carry exjljbits to the Canterbury Exhibition without pWge. _ _ Auckland, November 20. _ A great fire broke out this morning in Fort street. Scherff’s three and Bucholz s two warehouses were burnt, and the Telegraph, Customs, Boat, and Provincial Govornment Offices destroyed. The Governmeat Offices have not been long built, and cost 125,000. The damage is estimated at L6O 000 and the insurance companies are interes ted' to the following extent :-New Zealand, LIOOO ; South British, Llo'.'fl ; Scottish, L2OOO ; Victoria, L2oOU; Royal, L3OOO ; Norwich Union, LSOOO. Another telegram states The tire originated at Scherff’s flax store in Fort street, amongst flax hales, it is believed A man was in the store at eight o’clock with a Lgnt, but ho says he locked the place up safely. The fire spread rapidly to Bucholz s stores adjoining, and soon to the whole block, including five stores, which was destroyed. The wind blew the sparks across the street, to the Custom House and roof of the Telegraph Office. Well directed efforts at this time could have saved the buildings ; but all was confusion-the rival tire brigades squabblhm. The tire spread along the inside at the roof, and soon obtained a hrm hold of the buildings in the block from Fort to Short!and streets, including the Custom House, Telegraph ami Post Offices, and Provincial Government Offices, all of which are completely destroyed. Ihc telegraph instruments, Customs and .Savings Bank records, along with the Provincial maps and plans, were mostly saved. The tire was confined to the buildings mentioned, although it threatened many others, from yrbiph the goods were removed. Tho Government Buildings were uninsured. The Government Offices were removed to various buildings, and commenced work this morning as usual. ____________