LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 1668, 26 November 1872, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND. Auckland, Not. 22. A destructive fire took place on Wednesday, by which property valued at £60,000 has been destroyed. The fire originated ia Scherff's store, in Fort street — it is supposed atnoagst some flax bales — and spread to Bucholz's store adjoining, soon extending to the whole block, including five stores: The wind blew the sparks to the roofs of the Custom-house and Telegraph-office across the street, and the Post-office- and Provincial Government buildings, which were burnt, and mo9t of the public records, from the foundation of the Colony, were lost. The G-overnment buildings were uninsured. Ttie following are the losses of the various insurance offiees interested:—Union, £2700; Royal, £3000; Scottish- Commercial, £2400; Victoria, £2500 ; Northern," £2500 ; . Souths British, £1.100. New offices were found for the various departments, and the work of the officials resumed in the morning as usual. Nov. 25. The Cagll Opera Troupe have been engaged at £100 per night to play in the Choral Hall for sir nights. They leave for the south on the 3rd December, playing one night at Nelson, and one night at Wellington, with seasons at Chrißtchurch and Dunedin. Nxfieb, Nor. 25. Mr M'Lean proceeds to the East Coast in the Luna to-morrow. Mr Brogden has sublet the construction of part of the Pakipaki line. "Wellington, Nov. 25. Mr Vogel is confined to his bed through illness. The loss of public documents through the Auckland fire has induced the General Government to appoint a commission to inquire and report on the safety of public documents. Even in "Wellington there is no provision in case of fire. A rather Berious intertribal dispute has occurred at Waipu, on the East Coast. The Natives on both sides are armed, and will allow no information to be conveyed by Europeans, under the penalty of being shot. The Native Minister is going to arrange the matter if possible. More liberal arrangements regarding nominated passages are about to be enforced. The rates are to be reduced, and payment by instalments allowed. A gratuity is to be given to families for every single girl they bring out. The Colonial prize firing for 1873 comes off at Nelson. The date is not yet fixed, although the rules have been published. There will be only 42 competitors this year, instead of 62, as last year. The district prizes are slightly increased, but the principal alterations are made in competing for the Champion prize. Skirmishing, running, and rapidity are left out. The grand stand on the cricket ground was found to be on fire yesterday. No damage, however, was done. The Government have decided to proclaim a general amnesty to the Natives before long. The details are not yet settled, but the principle has been agreed upon in the Cabinet. DtrNEDiN, Nov. 25. The foundation of the new church was laid this afternoon. The building is to cost £7000.