THE PROVINCES.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 37, 13 July 1874, Page 2

THE PROVINCES.

OTAGO. The “ Daily Timea” states 'We have news from Oamaru to the effect that the construction of the breakwater is progressing as quickly as practicable. About HOOft. of it have been completed, and it is suggested by many who have the interests of Oamaru at heart, that, although the contract is still running, immediate measures ought to be adopted to utilise the breakwater as it stands. It is proposed to form stalls for vessels to lie in by driving piles in the lee side of the breakwater, constructing in fact lateral wharves, with just room between them for one small vessel to lie in. There is room for three such stalls, and if three safe berths were only available, the trade of the port would be very greatly stimulated thereby. There is a very considerable trade in building stone carried on with Melbourne, and it would vastly increase if better facilities for shipping stone only existed. Three or four cargoes of stone arc now lying on the beach awaiting shipment, many of the blocks being from four tons to seven tons weight—too heavy by far to be shipped by surf boats. Now, if the section of the breakwater were only brought into use as above suggested, all this stone might very easily be transferred to vessels in ilie roadstead, or peradventure shipped direct to Melbourne in vessels handy

enough to He at the jetty. The Oamaru Harbour Trust would do well to give the subject serious consideration. The question of what is a reasonable commission to allow on a sale of merchandise through an agent was recently, says the “Times,” contested in the R.M. Court, when one of the trade sued a well-known firm of merchants for the recovery of commission on a business transaction. Plaintiff alleged that it had been agreed he should receive 5 per cent., the rate allowed on general merchandise by the Chamber of Commerce rules, while defendants denied any agreement, and fixed per cent., that usually allowed to brokers, as a fair sum. The Magistrate set aside the presumption of an agreement, and gave judgment for 2J per cent; Plaintiff not being a broker, but a country traveller, he was entitled to a higher rate than the brokerage one. The following account of a fire which broke out on the morning of July 4th is given by the “ Daily Times” ;—We understand that the fire was discovered some eight or ten minutes before the bells rang, but as soon as the alarm was sounded, the Brigade, under the command of Captain Wain, was on the spot. The firemen deserve every credit for their promptness, for within seven minutes of the first ringing of the bell they had a hydrant directed on the fire at the back of the premises. In a few minutes more two other hoses were brought to bear in front, and a large body of police, in charge of Subinspector Mallard, kept a wide space clear to enable the firemen to work without interference. When first the water was brought to play dense clouds of smoke were issuing from the roof of Mr Hay’s place,- and it appeared almost certain that Messrs Hogg and Hutton’s premises, at the corner of Princes street and the Octagon, would bo destroyed At one time when the flames began to issue from the roof of Mr Hay’s shop, the next house was no doubt in danger, but so active were the members of the Brigade in making the best use of the good supply of water at their command, that the fire was soon subdued, and prevented from spreading beyond the premises where it originated. From what we could see. the whole of the inside of Mr Hay’s building has been destroyed—the shop and its contents, the workroom and other rooms. Messrs Hogg and Hutton did not suffer by fire, but we hear that a considerable portion of their stock has been damaged by water. The shop on the north side of Mr Hay’s, Messrs Herbert, Haynes, and Co’s, was not damaged, but .had not the fire been so quickly subdued, there is no doubt that it would have suffered. Within half an hour of the time of the first ringing of the fire-bell, there was scarcely a spark to be seen, and the large crowd that collected when the fire broke out dispersed. As far as we could learn, no one slept on Mr Hay’s premises, and no reliable account could be got of the origin of the fire. It was stated that some fire had been left on the premises in a stove, but we only give this statement for what it is worth. Whatever damage Messrs Hogg and Hutton have suffered is covered by a policy of insurance for £IOOO with the Norwich Union CompanyMr Hay was not at the fire,.and was notsent for until it had been extinguished. With regard to the origin of the fire, a subsequent examination was made by the police, in the presence of Mr Hay, and is attributed to the defective construction of a fire-place, at the north - west angle of the building, where a fire had been burning -during the day. Mr Hay, who, with tho porter, was the last to leave the premises shortly after six o’clock, has no recollection of the fire being put out. This fireplace had not long been re-set, in consequence of it nearly engendering a conflagration some time ago. The insurance policies were ;—Australian. Reliance, on stock, £1000; Victorian do, £1000; South British do, on building, £IOOO ; Liverpool, London, and Globe do, on building, £IOOO ; London and Lancashire do, doubtful, £SOO, on building. The alarm was given by Constable Watt, who bad his attention attracted by the crackling noise. AUCKLAND.. ~ The “ New Zealand Herald”o£ the 3rd gives the following account of the fire in Mr Owen’s store, Auckland : —Another conflagration broke out last evening in Queen street, but, owing to an efficient supply of water, was confined to one building—fortunately of brick. The locale of the fire was Mr G. W. Owen’s store, the lower end of Queen street, and it w.as first observed by Stephen Horne, mariner, who was sitting, with some comrades in Custom-house street. This was about ten minutes to seven o’clock. It did not, however, excite his alarm, owing to the extreme haziness of the atmosphere at the time. Half an hour afterwards, however, the fire unmasked itself,, and Horne at once proceeded to give the alarm, by hastening to the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, where the fire-bell, at his directions, was immediately rung. The fire originated at the back of tho premises on the ground floor. On the alarm being given, a number of people hastened to the spot, attracted by the dense volume of smoke that in the still atmosphere was curling lazily upwards, leading many to suppose that it was proceeding from Firth’s chimney-stack. The front door of Mr G. W. Owen’s premises were broken open, and among the first to enter was Mr McCarthy, 'master-at-arms of H.M.S. Blanche, accompanied by one of the blue-jackets of that ship. Mr Broham was quickly on the spot, and gave orders for the removal of the stock, the fire, to all appearances, having gained a firm hold of the building, as the smoke in dense volumes was now issuing from every window in the place. A large quantity of goods, consisting of teas and groceries, was thus saved, but not before many willing hands had barely escaped suffocation. At five minutes to eight o’clock the flames burst out from each floor of the building, thus shewing the firm hold the lire had obtained. In the meantime the steam hose from Messrs Thornton, Smith, and Firth’s mill had been laid from the rear on to the back of the premises; also, a hose laid on by Mr Asher from tho hydrant at the Waitemata corner. These had to some exte'it succeeded in keeping the fire in check, but were unable to extinguish it. Fortunately Mr Brown, book-keeper to Mr Owen, was early at tho scene, and by his exertions and directions the whole of the books and valuables were rescued from the two safes in the office, together with other property he was enabled to point out. At the time of tho flames bursting forth it appeared that the whole of the block of brick buildings would go, including Messrs Owen and Graham’s on the south side (containing upwards of £70,000 worth of slock), and on the north the Harbor Board offices, Mr H, Gilfiilan’s offices (Bay of

Islanda Coal Company,Messrs Arnold,-Hines and Co.’s, gum merchants, and Mr J. Allender’s, These premises were situate in one block, a parapet wall separating Messrs Owen and Graham’s from MrO. W. Owen’s. Attached to the latter arc Mr Moore’s wine store, Messrs Solomon and Hargett’s, and the fine building known as the Waifemata Hotel. The supply of water was fortunately plentiful, and by this time several sections of hose were brought to bear, power being given from the hydrants, fire engines and steam engine at Messrs Thornton, Smith and Firth’s. The blue-jackets, ou liberty from H.M.S. Blanche, who had assembled on the first warning of alarm, worked well, and ably assisted both in saving property and' afterwards in doing duty as firemen, fearlessly surmounting every obstacle. The New Zealand Insurance Company’s long ladders were of immense service, enabling the firemen to reach the roofs and convey up hose in order to play upon the burning mass and adjoining property. By this means and other judicious arrangements the fire was confined to Mr G. W. Owen’s store, which, however, was totally destroyed, together with its contents, valued at between £SOOO and £SOOO. The Harbor Board offices, next door, were in great danger, and Mr Brigham (secretary) wisely considered it necessary to remove the contents of the offices. This was done by several willing hands, Captain Casey rendering great service by securing the various plans belonging to the Board, amongst them those of the dock works. The iron safe was also removed to a place of safety, Mr H. Qilfillan’s offices were cleared, together with Mr Allender’s and Messrs Arnold, Hines and Co’s, but fortunately the fire did not extend thus far. The block of buildings jeopardised formerly belonged to Mr C. A. Harris, and cost £SOOO in the construction. They are now owned by the New Zealand Insurance Company. The one destroyed was partially insured for £SOO in ths Victorian Office. Mr G, W. Owen’s stock was insured as follows :—New Zealand, £ISOO ; Royal, £SOO ; South British, £IOOO ; Liverpool, London, and Globe, £SOO, Pheasants appear to be becoming a nuisance in the Province of Auckland. The Waiukn correspondent of the “ Herald,” writes—“ One of the greatest evils the farmers oif this district have to contend with is the pheasants. Although a very great number has been shot they arc still a thousand times too numerous. The scltiers of this district would be far better off if they had never seen a pheasant. They live almost entirely (this time of the year) on the seed that has been recently sown, and it is a case of necessity to be constantly watching them or else your ground will be lying unproductive for the next year, and of course longer if you cannot do something to abate this great nuisance (the pheasants). I heard of a pound and a-half of pure clover seed having been taken out of the crops of four pheasants, and fancy several hundreds of these birds picking over a person’s ground. I believe the settlers here are determined to kill all they can. I can’t sec what right any society can hare to the birds ; they did not bring them here, neither do they breed and feed them ; but the poor struggling settlers have to do that, and it costa them very dearly too.”