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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 270, 10 November 1873, Page 2

A pleasant state or things prevails in Auckland in the matter of fire and water, or rather did co last week, when the Star contained the following :— At a quarter- . past eleven yesterday morning, just as the bells began ringing for church the fire-bell added its unwelcome clangour tolhe others, and caused a very general consternation among the members of the different congregations who were on tbeir road to church. The largo body of smoke ascend? ing to the sky at once showed the locality of the' outbreak, and people were relieved to see that it was merely a fresh blaze on the old spot of the late fire. The outbreak had taken place in the back store of Henderson & Macfarlane's premises; among tbe°*balf-consumed gum and bonded stores which have been lately in process of removal. The ..flames began .^o make, tbeir appearance at half-past ten, and by tbe time the bell had begun to ring, a large boily of fire, had .sprung up, sending huge volumes of smoke. After half-an-hour's playing on tbe flames by the two engines the strength of the fire was overcome, and it sank to tbe deceitful smouldering state in which it has lain, with the exception of tht^difierent outbursts, for nearly a fortnight The supply of water j is at present, we hear, very short, and should a fire break out it will simply have to burn itself out. Had there been any wind yesterday morning the danger from sparks in tbe dry hot weather would have been very great. The embers of tbe fire are still alive, and unless a good' watch is kept, may yet give us much trouble. The latest French-made dresses are dresses no more; tbey are mere drapings, with fearfully low necks, absence of all sleeves, a mere strap going over the naked shoulder, joining the dress at the small of tbe back and tbe pit of. the siomach. The skirt is strangely and wonderfully hung. It caps the folds; it is caught high at the hip or in the back, and is shaped tight about tbe entire figure. From beneath this drapery streams out an entire train. Oat-door costumes are made, as far as the drapery is concerned, in the same style. These fashions deman J revolving pedestals, and what dancers term the "slow povoraents." No dress of this kind could be taken on its owner's back in a hurry anywhere. Of eours? corsets and a good . many other articles of underwear hitherto deemed indispensable will have to be taken off for the " Emoire " waist. At a very swell reception lately, tbe high-toned belles held tbeir arms like trussed fowls, to prevent the silk and lace suspenders that did duty to keep dress waists from falling off their shoulders. The same bridal party were, to the number of a dosen, photographed, and if I were to send a copy np to Connecticut, I'd not only |c prayed for in

tbe churches as one lost, bat Td be liable to indictment for sending indecent pictures by mail. No gloves ! That's dreadful, for nice, looks. No corsets ! -That's bad for comfort. And no waists to our dresses ! and that is going to be coo! for summer, if it has no other decided advantage.—New York letter to the £Jt. Louis Republican . r . >'" "