INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 203, 8 September 1879, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TERRIBLE FIRES AT DUNEDIN. FEARFUL LOSS OF LIFE. A WnOLE FAMILY BURNED TO DEATH. r>i;NEDi>', Monday. vine of the most terrible calamities which ever occurred in Dunedin happened this morning at the Octagon, when Walters' cafe took fire about 2 30. Next the cafe was the shop of Mrs Wilson, wife of the editor of the Wit'e's The block contained sonio four shops, but the upper storeys wore .ill thickly peopled, mid as the 'vhoic of the lower part was in flames before being discovered, cscapu was impossible for those upstairs. k is known that the Wilson family, numbering ten persons, are all lo?t excepting two, one of whom jumped out of a window, and it is feared i<? iujured beyond recovery. From a 3taltment made by v person who escaped by lowering himself with a clothes line it would appear that a number of persons were lying iv tbe passage, through which he had to grope his way apparently suffocated. The few persona who escaped are badly cut and injured One man who leaped from the window to the pavement was killed. TL.e whole block of buildings is gutted, but as the fire is still raging and the excitement in tense, it is impossible to ascertain anything *ith accuracy. M'Glasban's paper mill at the Water of Leith, near Dunedin, has been burnt down. The insurances are: — Victoria, £1000; Union, £500; Australian Alliance, £600; National, £250; London and Lancashire £250. "' The following are the insurances on the Octagon fire :— Union, £1000; Standard, £1150; Norwich Union, £!4."0; Victoria, £200; Hanseatic, £300; New Zealaud, £200, Later. The buildings are known as Ross's buildings, next the Athantcuni. The fire originated at the cafe, and severai jumped from the windows, both at the front and back. Margaret McCarthy was shouted to by the crowd to jump from the third storey window, but she struck the projection over the main en^ trance, and was carried away insensible. Eventually a ladder was obtained, and a number were rescued. A large numbur of boarders who slept in the building were seen wandering about quite bewildered: At length they broke into the room for drying clothes, and got a clothes line and a number escaped that way. The block was almost entirely destroyed", but the fire was confined to that block. The fire escape did not arrive till too late to be of any service. David Couway jumped from one storey and was severely iujured by the fall, and was also burnt. Maggie M'Cartby jnmped.and was caught in a sheet. Several others who jumped out were severely injured. Two of Wilson's children were severely injured by jumping out, besides being badly burnt. The injuries in one of their cases it is feared will be fatal. Altogether six persons, including one who died from injuries, have been taken to the hospital. Several members of the Wilson family cannot be found and there are conflicting statements as to the safety of Mr Wilson and ui3 wife. There is no doubt that several persons perished in the flames as the building was a perfect hive of bedrooms, especially the top floor There were 40 beds at the cafe and it is conjectured that about 100 persons mnst have been on the premises. Eight persons who were known to be in the building 3 are not yet accounted for, and among these are Mr and Mrs Wilson. Wellington, Saturday. The Times says that a deputation of those who went to .Wairarapa to vote, waited upon Mr Bunny to know if he would support the Premier, and his reply was that he believed in the Government programme, but would not pledge himself to support Sir G. Grey. It is stated that the Wairarapa sheepfarmers have commenced shearing earlier this season than usual, in order to relieve themselves from financial pressure Fourteen persous were brought before the Magistrate this morning charged with throwing flour yesterday morning. Owing to its being election time, the Magistrate let them off with a fine of ss. One who threw a stone through a window was fined ss, and ordered to pay the cost of replacing the window. The Custonies duties collected this week amounted to £3,837. TT . Monday. The Union Steam Shipping Company has been appointed, throughout New Zealand agent for the Oriental line of steamships trading between London and Australia. A draft of Armed Constabulary, now stationed here, will be sent north by the Hinemoa in a few days. Waikouaiti, Saturday night. Mr George McLean is returned by a majority of 65 over Mr Arkle. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile agency received a telegram dated London Sept. 4th :— « Wool market ; superior greasy advanced half-penny to one-penDy per lb • crossbreds unchanged ; scoured unchanged • washed combing firmer; washed clothing unchanged. Up to date 155,000 bales were sold, and 18,000 withdrawn during the past sales. Ghahamstown, Monday. The tribes of the Hauraki have been holding a korero over the recent shooting case for the past two days, at which the culprits have been in attendance with fifteen armed men of their tribe in war paint, and a body guard of thirty or forty others Pienaha their chief, is said to be willing to deliver up the culprits if the tribes find them guilty of any crime deserving of punishment by the European law. The meeting is expected to last some days yet. , r „ Duuedin, Monday. Messrs Cargilla' telegram from London dated 3rd iust , says that prices for good greasy are rather higher. Prices of all other sorts equal to the lowest at the last Bales with the exception of inferior and faulty scoured, which are decidedly lower. Considerable quantities are withdrawn. Mr Maeandrew's majority was a great surprise to the Opposition. Sir W. Fox's rejection did not cause surprise here, and the Times congratulates Wanganui on the reßult. Oamartj, Monday. The result of the polling was :— Hislop 594, Shrinißki 553, and Steward 386. Auckland, Monday. Arrived : Kildonan, ship, 121 days out from London, after an uneventful passage • no passengers ; 1,200 tons cargo. ' Ivaikoora,' Monday. Mr Sannders had a majority of 12 over Mr Inglis. The Flaxbourne returns are not yet in but they cannot alter the result.