COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 200, 29 August 1874, Page 2

COLONIAL ITEMS.

(FROM THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS AGENCY)

Great Fire in Dunedin.

— • DUNEDIN.

August 22. A fire broke out during the night at the steam saw-mills aud timber-yard of Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach, Princesstreet. The premises are of a very extensive character, comprising steam saw-mills plaining, moulding, tonguing, grooving, and flooring, door, sash, and furniture factories, besides large stocks of builders’ ironmongery and materials. Shortly after the alarm was given the fire-brigade mustered and used their utmost exertions to prevent the extension of flames to adjoining premises and notwiih standing their efforts Haworth’s Spanish Restaurant and store caught fire several times, but was ultimately saved with difficulty.

The old Immigration Barracks narrowly escaped. Loss about £35,000. »

No cause is known for the fire. It is supposed to have originated from the furnace.

Guthrie and Larnach’s premises were insured for £15,000 in various offices. Their mill, next to the Union Sash and Door Company’s manufactory, Auckland, probably did the largest business of the kind in the colony. GRAHAMSTOWN. August 21. The Advertiser publishes a telegram from the Native Minister to Mr. O’Rorke in December last asking the latter to see the editors of the Auckland papers and get them to write against the agitation for the opening of the Upper Thames. August 22.

The Caledonian week’s crushing is 25ozs. from 86 tons. Nothing more has been done in the new reef.

Sales —Calcdonion, £lO 7s 6d; Nonpareil (new), 3s 3d, It. is reported that Te Hira will consent to opening Ohinemuri if the Native Minister advises him so.

Mr. Puckey, native agent, brought this about and the Government can now open the country any moment. This may be relied on.

The Caledonian struck quartz containing heavy mundic in the east cross-cut to-day. The country has changed into a fine soft channel close to the reef; a foot of stone is exposed. The find is considered very encouraging, and has raised shares in the market.

Between 600 and 700 people were at the public meeting last night, the Mayor in the chair. Mr. William Rowe proposed, and Dr. Kilgrinr seconded* “ That this meeting cordially approves of the resolution passed by tne Assembly for abolishing the provinces of the North Island, and trusts that the same policy may be extended to the South Island, as they believe that the time has arrived when provincialism should be superseded by a simple and inexpensive form of local selfgovernment. An amendment was proposed that no reference be made in the motion to the South Island, but only seventeen voted for it.

The original motion was carried amid cheering. fit: The following was also carried unanimously : “ That this meeting is of opinion that an equitable and well-devised scheme for the re-adjustment of representation should be passed by the Assembly before any appeal be made to constituencies on the question of abolishing provinces.”