PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2677, 21 April 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press association.] Wellington, April 18. The Government have telegraphed to the Agent-General to procure, and at once forward, 2000 stand of the latest military rifles (the Martiui-Henry) to the colony, together with all necessary appointments. The Newcastle Herald of the 11th April has a paragraph as follows : "The American schooner Quickstep arrived here yesterday morning from Melbourne. Captain Jacobsen reports that on the 6th, when 25 miles from Cape Howe, he passed a Russian sloop-of-war steering W.S.W. coming from the eastward, but had no communication with her. She had fore and aft canvass and was steaming," Sir Julius Vogel this afternoon received a cable message from the General stating that the prospects of peace are less gloomy. A heavy gale set in last night, and about four o'clock this morning, half of the exhibition buildings in course of erection, were blown down. The contractor estimates the damage at between £4OO and £SOO. Dunedin, April 18. Frederick Lucas was charged to-day on remand with attempting to murder his wife, Katherine, on the Bth, and was further remanded to 23rd inst., the medical attendant of the woman havin« stated that she was unable to appear to-day, but might do so next week. Auckland, April 18. At the inquest on the body of Clarke, the Queensland squatter, who died at the Star Hotel from narcotic poisoning, the verdict was death by taking an overdose of chlorodyne. The Coptic has been chartered by the Imperial Government as a fast cruiser for the New Zealand coast, and arrangements are now being made to avoid sending her on her homeward voyage. She will go from here to Wellington', and then will be fitted up for her new service. FIRE AT TE ARO DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT, WELLINGTON. Wellington, April 20. A most serious conflagration broke out last night, which resulted in the total destruction of Mr James Smith's Te Aro House. This establishment was one of the largest drapers and clothiers businesses in town. About six o'clock last night one of the assistants in lighting the gas in a window accidentally set fire to some fabrics which speedily spread and resisted all efforts to extinguish them. Immediately the flames were found to have a firm hold, all the shutters were dropped to prevent draught and the fire brigade ' were on the spot without delay, but not in sufficient time to stay the destruction of the building. It wis raining heavily at the uui. : , and what stock **? ! e^ o ved, if ugt damaged by watev

inside the buildiug, was destroy.'! by rain. April 21. The stock in Te Aro House is estimated at fully £35,000. The insurance thereon was £14,500, so that Mr Smith suffers a very great loss. The building was worth £7OOO, bub was only insured for £4500. It is believed that Mr Sqoire Barlow, who was assisting in suppressing the fire at Te Aro House on Saturday, lost his life in the building. Barlow was seen to enter the building to rescue one of the assistants, but since then he has not been seen or heard of. He was a partner with his brother in the greengrocery line, and was to have returned to work on Saturday night. The whole of the debris in the building has not yet been removed. Barlow is a married man and leaves four children.