OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 4, 10 July 1865, Page 3

OTAGO.

FIRE AT POET CHALMERS. The Daily Times gives the following account of a fire which occurred at Port Chalmers on the 18th June:— About half-past six o’clock last evening, the glowing clouds to the north-east seemed ominously portentous of some extensive disaster by fire. Speculation was afloat, and the season of the year precluded the idea of bush-fires, it was feared by many that the lurid glare indicated that some ship was burning at the Port. Although this proved not to be the case, unfortunately a very destructive fire took place at Port Chalmers itself, involving property. The Port has hitherto enjoyed an almost entire immunity from fire, the only instance that has previously occurred, we are informed, having been an alarm from the burning of a small shanty or tent. In the present about half-past 6 o’clock, the premises of Mr Haddock, tinman, George-street, were observed to be in fianics, which rapidly spread to the store of Messrs M’Lean and Co.,—thence to a building occupied by a bootmaker, whose name we did not learn ; nor were they arrested until the shop of Mr Scott, tailor, and the biliard-room kept by Mr J. Lees, were consumed. The Naval Brigade, under the command of Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Robinson, mustered without delay, and used every exertion to save the property In this they were zealously seconded by the inhabitants of the Port, and to the exertions thus made it is owing that a considerable amount of moveable stock ivas rescued. It was a fortunate circumstance that the steamship Alhambra arrived in the Port yesterday, as Capiain M’Lean, with his characteristic promptitude and energy, caused his ship’s fire engine to be landed with all possible despatch and by the Judicious use made of it, and the application of wet blankets to the gable end of the Archer Hotel, kept by Air Hornby, the fire was confined to the block of buildings in which it first began. Had it not been for the aid thus afforded, and the judicious methods adopted, not only would the hotel have been burnt, but in that case the butcher’s shop, kept by Mr Cooper, must inevitably have also perished. Fortunately these, by the means used, were saved, but the whole of the block of buildings in which the fire first commenced was consumed. Nothing has been ascertained as to the cause of the fire. It commenced iu the part of Mr Haddock,s premises which has been used as a dwelling, although at the time no one was there, he having left a short time previously and locked up the place. The total amount of damage done is roughly estimated at £ISOO. Air Haddock, we believe was not insured. Alessrs Maclean and Co., it is understood, hold a policy for £ISOO, with the North British and Alercantile Insurance Company, but this will not nearly cover their loss, which is estimated at £BOOO. The following is the address delivered by Mr J. Hyde Harris, Superintendent of Otago, on the occasion of his resigning the Superintendency of that province :—“ Gentlemen,—l have tins day transmitted for the acceptance of his Excellency the Governor my resignation of the office of Superintendent. Various circumstances have led me to conclude that my duty to you and to myself called for my resignation. On public grounds it appeared to be advisable, while, ou the other hand, my private interests demanded it. The views of the Provincial Council are much at variance with my own on some matters of vital importance to the country, and especially on the subject of the disposal of the waste lands Indeed, I cannot but consider that any law so framed as to carry out in their integrity the resolutions recently passed by the Provincial Council will materially check accessions to our population from other countries, and will prevent the introduction and investment of capital, at a time when additional capital and population were never more needed. Holding these views, it will be apparent that had I remained in office, I could have been at best but an unwilling instrument in carrying into effect resolutions which, once converted into law, would, as I believe, operate with pernicious consequences to the province. But apart from considerations of a public nature, I feel that I have abundant reasons for the step I have taken. With many others, I have not been exempt, daring the last two years, from severe pecuniary losses, many of which are traceable to the neglect of private*affairs, the natural result in all cases where other duties demand and receive undivided and unremitting attention. To continue to hold the office would be equally unjust to you and to myself. I could no longer devote myself to the performance of its many duties without making sacrifices which you would not demand from any one ; on the other hand, I could not pay that attention to my own affairs which they demand, without neglecting public interests. I therefore now resign into your hands the important trust you committed to my keeping, and in doing so I sincerely thank you for the confidence and support you have given me during a period of more than common difficulty.’