MOTUEKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 18, 21 January 1880, Page 2

MOTUEKA.

[From our own correspondent.] A fire occurred here on Sunday morning which might have resulted in great lobs. A stable belonging to Mr J. Hunt, situated at the rear of his premises in High-street was noticed to be on fire about half-past nine, and there was an immediate rush to the spot by a good number of men, and there .being a plentiful supply of water from four wells iv the neighborhood the flames were prevented from spreading to various other sheds and a stack of hay close by. Had it not been Sunday most of those present would have been at work, and few would have been there' to help. As it was, a pigsty and shed contiguous to tbe building were saved, and the fire was confined to the building in which it began. As usual the blame is laid on that ridiculous mouse) others again lay it to spontaneous combustion from green hay. Children are very fond of playing with matches, and perhaps It may more justly be attributed to that cause. — A meeting Was held in the Institute last evening, Mr Charles Pattie in the chair, to consider the advisability of formiag a company for the purpose of ob taining a steamer for the local trade. A vessel of about 40 tons with good cabin room and a light draught of water, namely, 4ft 6in, was mentioned, and the engineer belonging to her being present, explained the capabilities of th« vessel, whioh is at present at Napier. Her name ia Menaia, and she coat £3000 a short time ago in Auckland, hut is now offered at half that amount. Mr Hursthouse, M.H.R , spoke strongly on the subject, and said it was very desirable for the benefit of the settlers that the present monopoly enjoyed by Messrs Cross Brothers and Buchholz should be broken. Mr Pattie showed that the Riwaka boat Maid of Italy, in spite of accidents, had fairly paid the shareholders, and given the inhabitants of that district the benefit of freight at 8s per ton, as against the 10s per ton of the monopolists. It does seem absurd that the wharfage should be 4s per ton, aa against 6s per ton freight between here and Nelson. It was also shown what benefit would accrue from being able to send freight direct to Wanganui, Wellington, &c, without any intermediate charges. At the present time it would cost something like six shillings to send a single case of fruit to Wellington. The meeting was adjourned to Monday next at 8 p.m., when the report of a Committee of seven which waa appointed last night will give the result of their enquiries on the subject. Harvest operations are now in full swing. — The wheat looks very well, also some crops of oats. A great many potatoes have been missed in consequence of the excessive wet about planting time, but what there are are generally good. Motueka, January 20.