LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 78, 28 February 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association.] Auckland, Feb. 27. A fire broke out at one o’clock this morning in a two-storey building at Parnell. The lower portion was occupied by G. Biggs, bootmaker, and the upper storey as a board-ing-house by a man named Curtin. The fire spread with great rapidity, the building being a wooden one. All the inmates succeeded in effecting their escape from the burning building with the exception of one young man named Michael Hogan. Daniel Leevy, one of the boarders, states that he was awoke by cries of “ fire,” and, jumping out of bed, he opened the door of his room, but was met with such a suffocating volume of smoke that he was compelled to retreat. He heard Hogan, who occupied the adjoining room, call out, but was unable to render aid. His opinion is that the unfortunate young man lost his presence of mind, and, instead of attempting to get out of the window, strove to make his way downstairs, and was suffocated by the smoke. Leevy tied his blankets to his bedpost, and by this means reached the sheet. When the fire was partially got under, the skeleton of a man, horribly burned, was found amongst the burning debris, and there is no reason to doubt it is that of Hogan. Deceased arrived here by the Doric, and was employed at the Auckland Gas Works. When the Fire Brigade arrived, the Superintendent refused to interfere, alleging that his orders were not to act beyond the limits of the city on account of the action of the insurance companies in refusing to make any contribution towards the expenses of the Brigade when acting at the late fire at Mount Eden, which was also beyond the city limits. He said he regretted to have to act this way, but, under the circumstances, he did not feel justified in doing otherwise, and expressed his willingness to give the Salvage Corps what advice was in his power towards taking steps to suppress the fire. He also allowed that Corps to use the pump belonging to the Fire Brigade. The fire spread up the street to Mrs. Revitt’s house, which was speedily destroyed, and Neal’s house adjoining was gutted. Slater’s residence, below the boarding house, was also gutted. The total damage is stated to be £1,500. Later. It has transpired that during the fire Hogan threw his box out of the window. He evidently met his death in attempting to descend the stairs. Tlie insurances are:— South British, £225 on the boarding-houce, and £l5O on Revitt’s house; Standard, £lOO on Curtin’s furniture; New Zealand, £5O on Revitt’s furniture; Colonial, £5O on Biggs’ stock; Imperial, £250 on Neal’s house and furniture. Neal only reinsured yesterday. The list of competitors for the rifle-shoot-ing arrived this evening, and the total number of entries now stands at 180. The train arrangements are not all satisfactory. The representatives will have to leave town by the 7.15 train in the morning, arriving on the range at 7.45; but, as shooting will not commence until 9, they will have over an hour’s delay, and the same in the evening. The train leaves Ellerslie at 7.15, just an hour and a quarter after the shooting for the day is finished. Dissatisfaction is expressed at the representatives’ registerkeepers and markers having to pay railwayfares. This morning Major Baillie wired to the Minister of Public Works, asking that the usual free passes be granted ; but this was refused. It is quite likely that the train will be discarded altogether, and that the Volunteers will arrange with the omnibus proprietors to take them to and from the range at a fare less than by rail. The weather was wet this morning, but has cleared, and promises to be fine tomorrow. There is to be no ceremony in connection with the opening. Wellington, Feb. 27. At Masterton (Wairarapa) the house of John Harding was burned down this morning. Sparks from the kitchen chimney are supposed to have ignited the shingles. There were three adults and eight children in bed at the time, who were all saved excepting a boy nine years of age, who was sleeping in an upstairs room, and whose charred remains were subsequently found. The house was insured for £2OO in the South British.

Mr. Skey, Government Analyst, reports that he found sufficient arsenic in the stomach of Olga Stennesse to kill an adult human being. He also reports that “ Rough on Rats” is almost wholly composed of arsenic. A meeting of the shareholders of the Titanic Steel and Iron Company last night resolved to accept £3,000 from the Government in full satisfaction of the Company’s claim to 500 acres of land in Taranaki. Several members complained that the Company had been treated very badly by the Government, and the liquidator attributed this to the influence of the Harbor Board of New Plymouth. The annual report of the Benevolent Society shows that the year’s revenue waa £2,329, and expenditure £2,171. During the year 141 families, including 367 children and forty-one men, had received assistance. Thirteen cases of wife-desertion had occurred, leaving forty-three children to be provided for. It was stated that the expenditure on charitable aid was less in Wellington in proportion to the population than in any other city in the Colony. At last night’s sitting of the Presbyterian Assembly, the report of the Committee on Temperance was received and adopted with a slight amendment. The Turner Bequest Committee reported that Messrs. R. Murray and Joseph Gilbertson had been appointed trustees on behalf of the Maoris. A Committee was appointed to prepare a code of rules and forms of procedure for the Church. Several votes of thanks having been passed, the Moderator delivered a short address, after which the Assembly was closed by praise and prayer. Mr. 11. M. Lyon, Secretary to the Wellington Racing Club, was entertained at a lunch to-day by the Stewards, and presented with a valuable racing chronometer. Mr. Pearce, President of the Club, pointed out that when Mr. Lyon undertook the position of Secretary the funds were in a low state, but the Club now had a substantial balance, the result being largely due to Mr. Lyon’s energy. He regretted that, through pressure of official business, Mr. Lyon had to resign the post of Secretary. Mr. Lyon suitably responded, and hoped that before the next race-meeting the course would bo connected with the city by rail. The Hons. Rollestion and Oliver returned to Wellington this morning, and Mr. Bryce will, probably, return to-morrow. Christchurch, Feb. 27. The Temperance men have been beaten at the Licensing election for the south-west of Christchurch. At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the President congratulated the members on the improved state of commercial matters in the district.

Wanganui, Feb. 27. A son of Mr. Arthur Filmer was suffocated by falling into an uncovered cesspool this morning. Dunedin, Feb. 27. The religious instruction classes in State schools, established by the city clergy, are admitted to have proved failures. By 319 to 174 votes the resolution to borrow £7,000 to construct salt-water baths was rejected at a plebiscite yesterday. A boy six years old, the son of J. Wilson, brewer, had his skull fractured by being thrown from a buggy. There is little chance of his recovery.