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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 665, 23 April 1870, Page 2

Another narrow escape from a serious conflagration took place yesterday at the Tramway Hotel, Arney street. Between five and sixa.m. the cry of fire was raised, as smoke was seen issuing from the building, whereupon Mr Thorn, who resides in the adjoining :' premises, was aroused. As soon as he reached the scene and got into the house he saw the whole wood work of the tireplace in a blaze. By the timely application of several : b'ucketsf ul of water, he was able to keep the ] fire under and extinguish it. A few minutes [longer and the hotel, with the adjoining cotitages, must have been totally destroyed. ? The members of the Dramatic Club, who performed so ably for the benefit of the I Hospital on Wednesday night, have deteri mined to extend the sphere of their usefulj ness by giving ah entertainment to-night, in the Volunteer Hall, in aid of the sufferers by the late fire. The performance \ includes the drama of " Time Tries All," a musical interlude, and the farce of " Turn Him Out." At the annual meeting of the parishioners •of Trinity Church on Thursday night, Messrs Revell and Hindmarsh were made ; Churchwardens, and the following gentlemen ; were elected Vestrymen for the year — Messrs ] King, Gilnier, Thomas, Whitefoortf, Gr. S. Smith, Winter and Blackmore, and Messrs E. Pasley and A. E. Moore of Nelson were elected to represent the district, in the Synod which is shortly to be held in Nelson. The balance of the goods remaining over from the Friendly Societies' Fete, and all the timber, calico, &c, of the booths, will be despised of by auction to-day by Nancar row Henderson and Co., at 12 o'clock on the wharf opposite the Club Hotel. We are glad to see that a stand-pipe for the use of the fire-engine has been fixed opposite Mr Hosie's shop, on Mawhera Quay. We only trusb that it may never be required; but should it be, it is sure to repay its «ost with interest. A movement is also on foot to fix one further down in Richmond Quay; the only wonder is that ore this time the owners of property have not combined to drive similar pipes near all the large blocks of buildings in town. Divine Service in the German language will be conducted to-morrow morning and evening ii the Fire Brigade Hall by the Rev. Mr Heine. Presbyterian services will also be held morning and evening in the Volunteer Hall by the Rev. J. M'lntosh. A meeting of subscribers to the fund for the relief of those who were left destitute by the late fire in Boundary street, was held in the Union Hotel, Mawhera Quay, on Thursday forenoon. J. Kilgour Esq. , Mayor was called upon to preside, and Mr J. W. Parkiason, was requested to act as Secretary. The Chaiimon stated the object of the meeting. Mr Gilbert King reported that he and Mr Duncan M'Lean had collected L 122 in cash, and received a promise of a large balance, also that the sum of Lls had been paid to the Rev. Mr Watkiis in order to render immediate assistance to the M'Naughton family. Mr De Costa wished to know if assistance Bhould be given to all the sufferer by the fire, or only to those who were rendered destitute. Mr Coales said he thought the giving of relief ought to be deferred until an inquiry was made as to the origou of the fire. Mr Glenn suggested the formation of a Committee. The Mayor agreed with Messrs Coates and Glenn. Mr Hamilton suggested that only sufficient aid should be rendered to enable the sufferers to earn a livelihood. The Mayor recommended | that aid should be rendered to a boatman who was injured while assisting at the fire. Mr Guinness recommended that the sufferers should,, as far as possible, be replaced in their former positions. The, Mayor objected in totq to such a principle being adopted. Ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr De Costa, seconded by Mr Guinness :— " That a Committee, consisting of the Mayor, Messrs Naucarrow, Hamilton,

G. Kinj, D. M'L3an, and Glenn, be authorised to expend Buch amount in the manner tbey may deem most advisable for tho relief j of the sufferers from the lake fire." Mr Smith moved, Mr Blackmoro seconded, and it was resolved: — "That the action of the Committee in handing to tho Rev. Mr Watkins, the sum of Lls, for the immediat e relief of the M'Naughton family, be approved of." Mr Guinness moved, and Mr Hehnes seconded — "That the best thanks of the subscribers bo tendered to the Collectors, for the very energetic manner in which they have conducted this matter." Carried una-, miously. Mr Hamilton moved, "That tie subscription list bo published in the Grey Kiver Argus. Seconded by Mr Blackmore. and carried. The usual vote of thanks terminated the proceedings. The following are the winners of the principal events of the Nelson Race Meeting, which took place this week :— Maiden Plate: Mr Stafford's Mist 1 ; Mr Sellon's Mistletoe 2. Turf Club Handicap : Mr Redwood's Peeress 1 ; Mr Stafford's Magenta 2 ; Mr Stafford's Lancefeed 3. Ladies Purse :Mr Redwood's Misfortune 1 ; Mr Stafford's Rapid Rhone 2. Criterion Plate :Mr Redwood's Peeress 1 ; Mr Stafford s Lancefeed 2 ; Mr Redwood's Songstress 3. Town Plate :Mr Redwood's Peeress 1 ; Mr Stafford's Magenta 2. Handicap Steeplechase • Mr Worthington's Toby 1 ; Equity 2. Free Handicap : Mr Redwood's Misfortune 1 ; Mr Lacenfeed 2. Consolation Stakes :Mr Stafford's Lacenfeed 1 ; Mr Redwood's : xxx 2. 1 The English mail arrived at the Bluff yesterday morning, and we commenced to receive the news shortly after 10 o'clock, by the telegraph wire. We expected to be able to publish our usual "extra" about mid-day, but the last of the message was not received until 5.30 p.m. With good weather, and the wires m good working order, it is almost inexplicable that the message should take so long to come. There is bad management or inefficiency somewhere, but we are very sure it is not in the Greymouth Station. i The master of the Lady Don informs us that Mr RoUeston is the favorite for the 1 Superintendency of Canterbury. ; At the ordinary meeting of the Greymouth Lodge of Freemasons, on Tuesday night, the election of officers for the ensuing year took place, when E. Ancher, P.M., was chosen W.M. ; H. WMtmore, treasurer; and A. Fowler, tyler. The two representatives of the Grey Dis- N trict in the Nelson Provincial Council are buckling on their armor for the coming political fray that commences on Tuesday next in Nelson. Mr Franklyn has already departed for that city, and Mr Mackley will go to-morrow. Applications for sittings in Trinity Church are now being received by the Churchwardens. These gentlemen will be in attendance at the Church on Tuesday ni^ht, at eight o'clock, in order to allot the sittings for the ensuing year. The English mail will be despatched from the Greymouth Post Office at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, the 25th inst. Mails for Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania will be made up to-day, at 4.30 p.m. The trial survey live between Camptown and Red Jack's was completed this week by Mr Surveyor Bull and staff. Mr Mackley, M P. 0., informs us that two distinct stacks., of earth quajce were felt _at his station, at Noble's, on "Monday last at ten o'clock. During the present week Alec Sutherland and party, who have been some time prospecting at Nelson Creek, struck gold on a terrace that runs in the direction of the Ahaura. At a meeting of the Westland Education Board, held in Hokitika on Wednesday, it was resolved — "lhat with a view to give the Board of Education corporate and rating powers, the Chairman and Inspector be requested to draft a bill for thab purpose, for the consideration of that Board ; such Bill when settled to be transmitted, through the County Chairman, to the General Government,' and that without such powers this Board feels that it will be utterly powerless in the cause of education." It was then moved by Mr Crerar, and seconded by Mr Moss, and carried—" That with reference to the vote by the County Council for educational purposes, of the sum of LIOOO, that a deputation consisting of the Chairman, and Messrs Gibson, Harrison, and the mover, do wait upon the County Chairman at 12 o'clock on Thursday, to ascertain when the same can be paid over to the Board to meet the pressing requirements of the present schools." The Board then adjourned to Wednesday, the 29th inst. A meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening — the Mayor in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. An application for the office of wharfinger from Mr W. J. Hall was read and received. A discussion ensued, when it was agreed that, whenever temporary assistance was required, Mr Hall should be preferred to other applicants. An application wa3 received from Messrs M'Gregor and Campbell, for jjayment of the amount due upon the wharf contract, whereupon a discussion took place, when it was moved by Mr Nichol — ."That consideration of the letter be referred to the Finance Committea." This was seconded by Mr Strike, and carried. Mr Kennedy, in speaking to the motion, drew attention to the misunderstanding under which most of the members were laboring with respect to this contract, as he, and he believed the rest, were under the impression that the payment was contingent solely upon the receipt of the amount from the County Council. A letier wa3 received from the County Chairman, stating that he would forward the amount of the land sales on the 15th of next month. A letter was read from Mr Hoos, allowing the labor of prisoners to bo expended here ; but, as Mr Inspector Broham had given different orders before he left Hokitika, it was re3olved to anply to the County Chairman to have the inspector's ordei-s reversed. A telegram was read by the Town Clerk from the County Chairman, advising en increase in the wharfage rates. The Couucil unanimously refused to entertain consideration of the proposed increase. A letter was read from Mr Hawley, secretary to the Fire Brigade, asking for payment of an amount due by the Borough Council. Referred to the Finance Committee. The Mayor urged upon the Council the necessity of enabling the Fire Inspector appointed by them to carry out the instructions given to him with respect to dangerous chimneys, and it was resolved to give notice to parties having dangerous chimneys, and that the Inspector of Chimneys take measures, when compliance with his orders were neglected. A petition was received from the ratepayers in the Middle and West Wards, I for the removal of the tramway rails from the junction of Mawhera and Richmond Quays in Boundary street. The Town Surveyor was instructed to remove them at once. A notice of motion was given by Mr Moore, to be considered in a fortnight — " That a separate rate of 2d per pound be levied for the construction of stand-pipes, &c, to be used in case of fire." In answer to an application for the balance due to the Borough Council by the County Council, the County Chairman wrote that the whole would be forwarded within the remaining three months of the current financial year. 1 The remaining business was unimportant.