TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1038, 23 October 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

[per press agency.] INTEEPEOYINCIAL. Fire and Loss of Life. Six Persons Burned to Death. Railway Works in Otago. Wellington, October 23. A lire and sad loss of lives occurred this morning about four o’clock. It broke out in a house close to Princess Hotel, occupied by Mrs Johnston (whose husband died a short time ago) and her Jive children—three boys and two girls. The lire must have originated either in the room they slept in or close to it, for when the fire was discovered only the upper part of the house was in flames. The alarm was given by Mr Eeader Wood, who lodged on the opposite side of the road. Mr Cattle, who owned four of the houses burned, tried to force his way into where Mrs Johnson and the children were, but was driven back, suffocated by smoke, flame, and gas. The firemen were sharp and a large crowd anxious to render assistance, but for over an hour not a drop of water was to be had, it having been turned off the night before. Had there been water the fire could have been confined to one house. After the fire was got under the bodies of Mrs Johnson and five children were found in a space about eight feet square. It is supposed that they weie suffocated. There are five houses, kitchen and a new stable destroyed, besides a good deal of damage to Princess Hotel, most of furniture of which was removed. Mr Cattle owned four houses. The National Company lose £IOOO on three houses, the South British £2OO on Yates’ house and furniture of Cattle’s private house was insured for £4OO in the New Zealand. A good deal of it was saved. The Princess Hotel and furniture were insured for £ISOO iu the New Zealand. Between damage to Mr Cattle’s furniture and the hotel, the New Zealand office estimates its loss at £SOO. This includes all insurances. The most intense feeling of dissatisfaction prevails at the water having been turned off, Dunedin, October 23. The officers of the Public Works Department have received instructions from Wellington to proceed at once with the survey of a line of railway to the interior via StrathTaieri. The work at Deborah Bay tunnel is now all but finished, and during the present week it is probable that an engine will run right through from Dunedin to Blueskin, and in a short time trains for the conveyance of goods and passengers will run to the same place. There was a heavy fall of snow in Dunediu last evening. A meeting of several branches of the building trade was held last night for the purpose of taking steps to obtain a Saturday half-holiday. There were about 200 people present. Resolutions in favour of leaving off work on Saturdays at noon were carried, and it was resolved that the observance of the Saturday half-holiday come into force on November 3rd. PARLIAMENTARY. Last Night’s Proceedings. Wellington, October 23. Iho Destitute Persons Bill lias passed partially through Committee. The rest of the night was spent in Committee on the Mines Bid. in amendment to reduce minors’right s from £1 to 10s was lost by a large majority. Progress was reported at Clause G 4. The House rose at 12.5 a.m.