NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2296, 12 August 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press association.!

NEW PLYMOUTH. August 12, Fire.

A fire broke out at three o’clock tb>s morning at Mm pby’s boarding house, alongside the Oddfellows’ Hall. It was first discovered by Mr May, of the Speotasoope, who was awoke by a smell of smoke in his bedroom. He got up and went downstairs, when he saw the dining-room was on fire. Ho at once gave the alarm, and aroused all in the house. Before water or much aid could be obtained the fire had a good hold on the building, and then there was no hope for the Oddfellows’ Hall, which was only separated from the house by a 12ft passage. There was time, however, to get tho piano and musical instruments belonging to the Philharmonic Society from the hall before it caught fire. It was soon in flames, and a crockery shop adjoining and a shed at tho back were also burnt. It was a beautiful night, with scarcely any wind blowing, or tho destruction would have been heavier. The insurances, as far as can be gathered, are: —Murphy’s, insured on building, £4OO in the Union office ; Oddfellows’ Hall, en building, £SOO in the South British and £550 in the Northern offices ; Turner, on building, £IOO in the New Zealand and £ICO in the National offices. Water was very scarce. GISBORNE, August 11. InexhaustibleMr Michael Benis, the expert who arrived here with Mr Olarko, reports that the immense deposit of pariffin mineral at the Southern Cross Company’s ground cannot be exhausted for centuries. A manufacturing company w be forme 3 immediately. WELLINGTON, August 12, Another Big Dock Projected. At a meeting of the City Council, the Mayor said there was a probability of direct steam communication with Great Britain being established shortly, and ho thought it was necessary without any delay to take the initiative in establishing a dry dock in Wellington harbor, A committee was appointed to confer with a committee of the Harbor Board on the subject. It was suggested that a portion of the proposed Te Aro reclamation shoo'd be given for the site. DUNEDIN. August 12. The Late Exhibition. It is stased that the expenses of the recent Exhibition amounted to £llOO, and the receipts aoout £IBOO. FootballAt a football dinner last night, the secretary of the Otago Rugby Union intimated that Oanterbuiy had agreed to play the Interprovincial match on tho 27th inst. He said that Otago hoped to place the strongest team in the field that had yet been done.