COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 86, 10 September 1873, Page 3

COLONIAL ITEMS.

ALARMING FIVE IN AUCKLAND.

OBE AT DESTRUCTION OV PBOVERTT FIFTY-EIGHT BUILDINGS BURNED. Auckland, Sunday September 7. We are indebted to Sergeant Shirley for the following extract from the Hawke's Bay Herald of the Bih inft., a copy of which that gentleman has obligingly placed at our disposal. Our own files not having come to hand. The largest and most destructive fire that has ever occurred in Auckland broke out in the centre of Queen-street, at 12 o’clock last night. The fire was discovered at Powley’s millinery establishment.

The Fire Brigades were soon on the spot, but, water being scarce, their services were .almost useless.

The whole of the West side of Queen-street, from Victoria-street, to the new Market house, at the bottom of Cook-street, is in ashes; also, the lower half of Wellesley-street. Altogether, fifty-eight buildings were burned down, a large number of which were uninsured. Whitson’s Brewery, the new Market, and the East side of Queen-street, had a narrow escape, having been several times on fire The estimated loss to the various companies is £25,000. The New Zealand, Norwich Union, Royal and South British, are the heaviest lose *s, being about £4,000 each. It i« impossible to gather correct particulars of the loss of each coni pony. The total destruction of property is estimated at £60,000.

Darby’s Thistle Hotel, and two adjoining buildings, were insured for £lOOO only, in the New Zealand Company ; stock and furniture for £7OO. He estimates his loss at £4OOO. The United Service Hotel, owned by Hancock, wns insured for £3,500, including the stock. Hancock loses £2OOO on other properties, and altogether about £4OOO. The Anchor Hotel, owned by King, was partly insured, and the Central Hotel, owned by What son, was insured. Several accidents occurred at the firo. Three firemen fell from u verandah, and one named James Fuljames is seriously injured. Charles Bowden dropped dead in the street, and Mr. Williams, proprietor of the Anchor Hotel, burst a blood-vessel, and lies dangerously ill. During the fire a N.E. gale was blowing. Heavy rain commenced immediately after, and has continued since.

Wellington. It is believed that the Premier has been promised a dissolution in the event of being defeated in the House. The debate on the Provincial Loan Bill was resumed on Ist inst. Mr. Bunny said no doubt the Government would carry their Bill flying, yet none of their own supporters put faith in it. It was said the Bill would stop log-rolling, but for his own part he believed log-rolling was good for the country. Mr. Buckland said it was very improper for the Government try to pass the Bill against the reason of the House, by a threat of dissolution. He objected to the project of preventing the natives from selling to private Europeans if they pleased. The Premier, in replying, promised to introduce a clause, in Committee, restricting interest on loans to 6 per cent. Nearly all the members hoped that the Bill would be altered in Committee. Mr. Gillies said that when all the moneys were raised for the works authorized, the debt of the colony would be £17,000,000. He accepted the change in the proposals as an instalment of justice, -and said that the Auckland Provincial Government. was quite bankrupt and could not carry on after December, unless something unexpected turned up. He admitted that the. Public Works Statement was remarkably clear and straightforward, but condemned Mr. Vogel for want of fixity of purpose. The second reading was carried on the voices. Mr. Gisborne, formerly Colonial Secretary, writes defending the Fox Government against the charge of granting extra allowances to Governor Bowen. In the Supreme Court; a rule nisi was made absolute for the criminal libel prosecution by Judge Rogan against Mr. Ballance, proprietor of the Wanganui Herald. The Judge severely condemned the conduct of defiendant’s counsel. In the House Mr. Webster asked if the Government would lay on the table, in writing, a copy of the offer said by the Minister of Justice to have been made by the members of the Southern caucus to the Government.

Mr. Vo el replied that he would not satisfy the curiosity of the hon. member.

Mr. Webster gave notice of motion of the same question. Mr. Vogel laid on the table a return of ministerial allowances, and made an explanation. He joined the Ministry originally on the understanding that he would be Resident Minister in Auckland, and drew a regular allowance as such. When in Wellington he drew travelling allowances ; previous ministers had done the same. Had he drawn a residential allowance in Wellington, and travelling allowances when away, he would have drawn more. He might say generally that the allowances of ministers were insufficient. Mr. Stafford said when the Governor’s Salary Bill was in Committe he would more in future .the salary of the Governor of New Zealand be £7OOO per annum, to tnclude all his . expenses. Gbkymouth. Grace’s flax mill has been burned down ; much flax was destroyed. _ Pout Chalmers. A new seam of coal has been met with during the new survey of the high tunnel at Deborah Bay, on the proposed route of the Moeraki and and Dunedin railway/*' I'"™"”''..’"i' 1 '"™"”''..’"i' . ,““T Aucxland The first year of the South British Insurance Company has terminated. The investment of the Company is £43,000. The profits will yield a 10 per cent, dividend.

Twelve hundred unallotted shares have been fcmed to the Bright Smile shareholders. To-day’s price (85s) is really 15s higher than last week’s 1 notations. Sales of British, 475; Caledonian, 15 to £l6; Moanatairi, 40s. Bayers of British, 45s ; Caledonian, £l6 ; Bright Smile, 87s 6d; City, 25. Sellers of Bank shares, £l6 10s; British, 48s; City, 28s.—Henry E. Williams. The Rotorua natives have petitioned the Queen, through the Governor, for a steamer to convey them to England to lay their grievances before the Privy Council. They complain of a want of harmony between themselves and the Government, especially in stopping the leasing of Rotorua. Taubanga. The natives are memorializing the Government for the appointment of James Mackay as Civil Commissioner lor Tauranga, vice Clarke. Dougatd M'Kellar has been appointed Collector of Customs. In next Gazette Tauranga will be declared a port, of entry. The road survey to Katikati has been completed. The road to Cambridge will be at once proceeded with. The extension of the telegraph to Maketu and Opotiki has been approved. Melbourne. Mr. F. Gifford, late editor of the Wellington Evening Post, has died from heart disease. Benrolio is the favorite for the Derby, Ace for the Metropolitan.