Second Edition Australian Cables.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 January 1914, Page 3

Second Edition Australian Cables.

tLECTEIC TELEGRAPH; —COPYRIGHT. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.} (lleceived This Day, 1i.50 a.m.) A BIG -FlUti. Sydney, This Day. Snows has been completely gutted. It was a startling spectacle, watched by fifty thousand people. The outbreak was discovered at 1.45 a.m.. Within an hour, in spite of the efforts of the combined forces of the local fire brigades, only the blackeued walls marked where stood one of the busiest hives of industry in the city. Ainsworth's drapery establishment was seriously threatened, but the brigade managed to confine the fire to one building. Pieces of burning material were carried as far as Hordern's, and a constant watch had to be" kept on the big premises in the vicinity. The origin of the fire Is supposed to be due to an explosion on the top floor. The building occupied half an acre of ground, and was owned by the trustees in the estate of the late Samuel Hordern, and * was leased by Sidney Snow. The damage is estimated at £45,000; the building was insured for £20,000. SWAMPING. - Mr Wade, Leader of the Opposition, discussing the proposals of" the Labour Conference to swamp the Legislative Council, said the Conference does not seem to realise the danger of such a dractic, unprecedented method, which should only be resorted to under conditions of extreme urgency or public danger. It is scarcely* disputed nowadays that' swamping is in the abstract, a reserve method for giving effect to the people's will, and only to be applied as a last resort.