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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 16, 19 January 1874, Page 2

The Suez Mail was clue at Melbourne on the 13th inst, and we may expect at any hour to hear of its arrival at the Bluff in the Albion. Harvest Thanksgiving Service. — Arrangements, we understand, are being made for holding a thanksgiving service at Christ Church on the evening of Wednesday, the 25th February, St. Matthias' Pay. A number of ladies and gontleraen, both in town and country have been invited to join the choir for the occasion, so that the musical portion of the service may be as perfect as possible. Excursion Trip. — A remarkably cheap excursion trip to Welliugtou is advertised for Wednesday next, when the Taranaki will take passengers across who will be brought back by the Wellington on Sunday. As the return fare is only £1, and the excursionists will have an opportunity of witnessing tbo Wellington regatta, the trip will doubtless be extensively patroniood. Fire.—- At an early hour yesterday morning, iho fire-bells rang out the alarm, and by those who were awakened from their slumbers it was soon seen that the Wood was the scene of the fire. It appears that a skittle-alley, connected with the Bush Tavern, had taken fire in some unaccountable manner, and that before it was discovered the flames had taken such hold of it as to imperil a

neighbouring cottage, which only 'three or four days previously hnd been taken possession of by, Mr. Charles Lucas. The alarm was not given for some time, owing no doubt to tho distance from the bell, and by the time the Brigade, who were on the ground with their customary alacrity, arrived, the cottage was hopelessly in flames. The conteuts of the two first rooms were saved, but it was impossible to secure the furniture and clothes from the back or upstairrooms. The building, we understand, was insured in the Victoria and Royal Offices for £100 in each. A cottage, a few yards from that which was destroyed, was in imminent danger, aud at one time was actually on fire, but the flames were checked before any serious damage was done.