AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 59, 5 March 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, March 4. A lire broke out in Briscoe and Co.’s ironmongery establishment in Little Colo Street, the building being practically destroyed. 'file flames spread, damaging the stock ami safe deposit of the English, Scottish, and Australian Bank of New South Wales, and Collins’ house. The lire is still burning, but is under control. llio damage is estimated at many thousands. The cause is unknown. Briscoe’s was a three-storey building, erected only six months ago. The I rout part, separated from the rear, where the fire started, by litre-proof doors, escaped tho flames, though the immense stock was damaged by water. The firemen worked splendidly to sare the building, which was the centre ol a packed mass of buildings. 'I lie lire was got under in three hours. Burning debris was carried to adjoining buildings, and started a fire in Die Bank of New South Wales, but it was soon .subdued. Oilier buildings previously mentioned, besides Montgomery’s cork warts bouse and a number of smaller business promises, suffered from heat and water. Tl io collapso *of I ini scoops wall <lainaged the Bank of New South Wales. Briscoe’s business is riot seriously inconvenienced, as they possess another large store in West Melbourne. One .estimate of the damage is £-10,000. (Received 5, 9.55 a.in.) Melbourne, March 5. The Methodist Conference resolved in favour of the abolition of mixed

bathing, and protested against tlie increase of Sunday trains. Other re-

solutions protested against the .legalisation of the totalisator, and urging legislation rendering illegal art unions and lotteries held in aid of churches a.nd schools.

The damage to Briscoe’s linn is fully covered hy the insurance. (Received 5, 10.5 a.m.)

Sydney, March 5

Athol Swain and William Bennett were crossing to Bellingen Heads in a Hat-bottomed boat. They were washed out to sea, the hoat overturned in the breakers and they have not been since seen.

A hotel-keeper at Rushcutters’ Hay had an exerting experience with a masked and armed burglar. He was awakened in the middle ol the night and a. revolver was presented at his head. The burglar demanded money and subsequently escaped with £2O. It is probably the same individual who has been term rising the residents of other suburbs for several weeks.

Mr Beeby promised a deputation to introduce legislation placing chemists under the early closing regulations.