TELEGRAHIC NEWS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 236, 12 September 1873, Page 5

TELEGRAHIC NEWS.

September, 7. The largest and most destructive fire that has ever occurred in Auckland, broke out in the centre of Queen street at twelve o'clock last night. The fire was discovered at Rowley's millinery establishment. The fire brigades were soon on the spot, but there being a scarcety of water, their services were almost useless. The whole of the west side of Queen street, from Victoria street to the New Market House at the bottom, is in ashes; also the .lower half of Welleselv street.

Altogether tbere are fifty-eight buildings destroyed. Whitson's brewery, the New Market House, and the east side of Queen street, had a very narrow escape —the latter was several times on fire.

A largenumber of the buildings-are uninsured.

The estimated loss to the various insurance companies is £25,000.

The heaviest losers are the "New Zealand, Norwich Union, .Royal, South British —about £4.000.

It ia impossible tit present to gather the correct particulars of each company's loss. The balance in the Scottish Company, the Victoria, the Northern, and the Liverpool and London.

The total destruction of property is estimated at about £60,000. Darby's Thistle Hotel, and the two adjoining buildings, insured for £I,OOO only in the New Zealand Company ; the stock and furniture for £7OO in the Liverpool and London. He estimates his loss at £4,000.. The United Service Hotel, owned by Mr. Hancock, was insured for about £8,500, including the stock. Hancock lose? £2 000 on other properties. Altogether about £4,000, and £5,000, above insurance. On the previous day he had taken in £BOO worth of stock. The Anchor Hotel, owneu by Mr. King, was partly insured. The Central Hotel, owned by Mr. Whitson, was insured. ;

Several accidents occurred during the progress of the fire! Three firemen fell from the verandah of James Fuljame's shop, and were seriouslv injured. Charles Bowden dropped dead in the street during the fire. Williams, the proprietor of the Anchor Hotel, broke a blood vessel, and is dangerously ill.

A north-east gaie was blowing during the progress of the fire, an i heavy t ain-i commenced immediately afterwards, and have continued ever since.

In the Turf Club programme of racing for the 26th and 27th December just issued, are two handicap sweepstakes of ten sovs, each, with 200 sovs. each added. Eight "other good prizes are in the program me. The number of sharee applied for in the new National Insurance Company is up to the present time 25,002.