TELEGRAPHIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 28, 7 December 1880, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

(F 71031 OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Monday, 7 p.m. A disastrous fire occurred yesterday morning, at 4 a.m. The large wooden building used as tramway and engine shed by Mr David Proudfoot was destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. Seven men were at on the premises when the fire began. The flames spread quickly, and they barely escaped. The building itself has been competely destroyed, also thirty-three tram-cars, seven engines, and a tremendous quantity of oats. The insurances amount to £12,000, but Mr Proudfoot estimates his loss at £7000 above that amount. It is almost certain that the fire is a case of incendiarism. Later. Yesterday* fire at Dunedin destroyed all the tramway cars but four, and two of these were much injured, so that only two were today available for traffic. Shortly before the fire broke out one of the men employed in the engine shed heard noises, but on searching could not find traces of any person improperly on the premises, but the building was accessible at one end, and at that end the fire broke out. Besides the tramway plant, Proudfoot loses his electric light machinery, which cost £520. Judgment was given today in the charge of smuggling against the captain and stewaid of the ship Wairoa. The charge of smuggling was dismissed, but a fine of £25 was imposed for making a false report as to the ship's stores.