DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT INVERCARGILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 61, 11 March 1880, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT INVERCARGILL.

GUTHRIE & LARNACH'S MILL BURNT DOWN. Invercargili,, Thursday. Guthrie and Larnach's large saw mill at Woodend, near luvercargill, was burned down this morning, and in a short time the niain building, with the smithy, saw sharpening, and locomotive sheds attached, were in ashes. The plant was the most complete of any in Southland. The mill included a 40 horse power engine, three of the newest patent iron benches, sawing and planing and moulding and tennoning machines, &c. } all of which were destroyed, also the locomotive. In themain building there were 20,000 feet of dressed timber, all burnt. The insurances are : — British and Mercantile, £250 on the building, and £500 on the machinery. Transatlantic, £250 on the machinery, and £500 on the plant. New Zealand, £700 on the building, £600 on the machinery, and £200 on the engine. South British, £1000 on the engine and machinery, £500 of the last amount being re-insured in the Colonial. The foregoing are all the insurances known here. M'Pherson.the manager, haa however £300 in the Transatlantic on his own private tools. Tho fire throws 45 persons out of employment. Meat preserving commences immediately at the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company's works at Woodend. There are plenty of cattle to be had on the Company's terms. The creditors yesterday agreed to the application for the discharge of Cuthbertson, of the firm of M'Rorie and Cuthbertson, who rrcently failed for some £16,000. Hawera, Thursday. Everything is quiet at the camp at Otakoe. The road has been considerably straightened near the camp towards Kaupokonui by cutting across a swamp, and deep drains are being made, and the whole is done in an exceedingly workmanlike manner. On the north of the camp some 60 chains are already formed towards Oeo. The Constabulary and Militia contingent agree very well indeed, notwithstanding the prediction to the contrary, and the latter are rapidly becoming adepts with long handled shovels under the instructions of the former who are exceedingly kind to their distressed brethren. Tatjuanga, Wednesday. The case against Isaac Wilson, of the Ohinemutu Hotel, for shooting at a native, wag concluded yesterday. Wilson was committed to tri.il at the Auckland sessions. Bail was accepted. Christchurch, Wednesday. Large quantities of grain are daily pouring in at the various stores, and complaints are already being made of the scarcity of trucks. A man named George Palmer had a very narrow escape from being run over by the express train from South Rakaia on Tuesday The train started from the station, when the driver observed a man lying across the rails a little distance ahead. Every effort was made to stop the train, and succeeded within six feet of the man, who was picked up and found to be in a state of drunkenness and fast asleep. He was given in custody. Wellington, Wednesday Messrs J. W. Bain, E. Wakefield, and W. Murray, M.H.R's, have been appointed members of the Commission to report on the question of Local Industries. Two others have yet to be appointed. During the passage of the barque Alaster from London, a seaman named William Day fell from the main top on to the deck, receiving concussion of the brain, and he died four hours later. Thursday. Mr Burns, formerly M.HR. for Roslyn has been appointed a member of the Commission on local industries. Mr Parkinson has been appointed short hand reporter to the Civil Service Commission. j-T- 5 -'"-i Blenheim Wednesday"*" Gold has been discovered in ihe Upper Wairau Valley, about 30 miles from Blenheim. Some 40 miners are at work and are making from 15s to 20s per day. Any rush is deprecated as experts consider that with the first heavy rain the diggings will be flooded and the present workiugs carried away. New Plymouth, Wednesday. A large meeting was held last night to make arrangements for the purpose of according a reception to Sergt. Okey, the winner of the Champion Belt, on Saturday next. A committee was appointed, and subscriptions are coming in liberally. It has been decided to invite the Auckland representatives ashore, and to have all the Volunteers paraded. Okey is the third Taranaki boy who haa won the belt, namely, Jioskins, Paynter, and Okey. DrjNEDiN, Wednesday. At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the Benevolent Institution yesterday it was resolved, " That legislation is urgently needed for the purpose of compelling husbands, who have gone to other colonies, leaving their wives and families destitute, to contribute to their maintenance." Mr Fulton intends taking action in the matter in Parliament. The Minister for Justice has been communicated with on behalf of the lad Me EUenny, who was sentenced to two months imprisonment and 12 strokes with the cat-o'-iiinc )ni)g on Monday. It is not probable the jmi.iabment will be inflicted until the case receives further consideration. The scarcity of water in the City has now reached such a point that the Corporation has decided upon cutting off the supply for machinery purposes. Yesterday the depth of water in the reservoir was only eight feet. There is much grumbling on the part of the Councillors with regard to Silverstream's scheme, and practical men have expressed the opinion that during [the winter slips so serious as to bring the whole hill bodily down would take place at one portion of the race, and it was asserted that in dry weather, as at present, the loss from leakage along the course of the race would be so great as to necessitate large lengths of piping, and that no dependence is to be placed upon the supply. Two Councillors said it would cost £130,000 to make the scheme available. The Council, |however, ordered the calling for tenders for further works to cost £5000. At the University meeting a letter was read from Professor Scott stating that he was endeavoring to induce one of the greatest authorities on fish fossils to apply for the biology chair. The Daily Times Company declares no

dividend this year, but will carty forward £2>,715-