DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 85, 17 January 1885, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Dunedin, January 13. Foub houses at Kelvin Grove were burned down this morning.

Wellington, January 13. A fire broke out at 12.30 to-day in the workshop attached to Mr Nicholsons furniture establishment in Cuba-street. The fire spread quickly, and the shop was enveloped ' in flames in a few minutes. Severe comments were passed on the way the Fire Brigade went to work. As there was a grand supply of water, however, after half-an-hour's battle the flames were got under, but not before one or two cottages in the vicicity were damaged. Several of the neighbouring residents have lost by the hasty removal of their furniture. The building destroyed was insured in tb* Fire Association fjr £500, and it is understood the Standard also have a line. Mr Nicholson estimates his loss at close on £1,000. The origin of the fire is surrounded with mystery.

Wanganui, Jan. 13.— A house belonging to Richard Openshaw was burned to the ground yesterday morning. Openshaw did not sleep at home the previous night, having gone up the river in the B. a. Waitara, of which he is engineer. The cause of the fire is unknown. Insurance : £200 on the house and £40 on the furniture. Openshaw is a heavy loser, as he had over £100 in notes in the house.

A side sirow— A profile. Sheet Music— Snoring-. The jockey is generally proud of bis race. " Almost " a big fire at Christchurch on Saturday labt Trade news— Umbrellas again show an upward tendency. Auckland water is " exceptionally pure," but what about Auckland whisky ? The newest floral sentiment— lf you wish for hearts-e ase, don't look to marigold. Father Neptune's favourite game — Pitch and toss. "Solc-d again," remarked the cobbler, as he repaired an old pair of boots. Maiy a man gots a reputation of being a knowing man who is simply an owing man. It is reported that Prince Henrick, second son of the Emperor of Germany, will be appointed ruler of the Congo. Otago Manufacturers' Association has asked and obtained the promise of a visit from Mr Federli. The Fire Brigade Demonstration at Dunedin this month is to occupy two days. " There is a coolness between that young couple," said Bolgs, as he saw one plate of cream and two spoons. And now it cornea to light that accordians were manufactured before the Christian era. We always thought as much The population of the United Kingdom has more than doubled within the last seventy years. Professor Anderson, the Wizard of the North, is presently performing at Melbourne. Carlyle says " laughter means sympathy. " This will bring comfort to the man who has inadvertently trodden on an orange peel. The railway freight on cheese from Hamilton to Auckland is £1 4s 6d per ton, not nearly £5, as our Waikato correspondent alleged. It is said that Government will supply natives and Armed Constabulary in the construction of the North Island trunk railway. Dunedin Harbour Board are dissatisfied with the work done by the big dredge on the bar, as in a year it was found it had only worked thirty days. The fond father of a pretty daughter in Newmarket has found that it is easier to miss a train than train a miss. The Government Insurance Department has taken up the balance of the South InI vercargill municipal loan of £4,000 at par. Three Japanese newspapers have sent special correspondents to report the j Franco-Chinese War. Enterprise of the I press. A prize of five pounds each is offered by the Government for the best design for a medal and certificate for the Industrial Exhibition. Designs are to be sent in on or before February 14. The Colonial Secretary of Victoria, accompanied by another Minister, has gone to Tasmania to discuss with the Government of that colony the subject of free trade between Victoria and Tasmania. Overheard at the Waitemata corner: — "D'ye use glasses?" "Yes." "I've never seen them over your nose." "No; I use them under my nose " The London "Times" considers that weakness has been shown by the Gladstone Cabinet in its foreign and colonial policy, and suggests that the time has arrived for a change of the personnel of the Government. The Salvationists at Narracoote, South Australia, whilst holding a procession recently, were attacked by about ,300 persons. A scrimmage ensued, the -*rmy being severely mauled. One female had several ribs broken, ank others were more or less injured. Would not our Auckland boys like to go to Nelson ? The following tempting notice has been appearing for some time in a Nelson paper :—" Wanted 100 boys from 12 to 15 years of age, with catapults, to destroy small birds— paroquets, blackbirds, linnets, larks, goldfinches, and sparrows. The first five kinds of the above at Id each, and sparrows at Scriptural rate, viz., three for a farthing, and no accounts kept. A small boy can easily earn from 8s to 10s a day, if a good shot Ammunition found. Free lunch daily at 12 o'clock." The Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria have opened their offices at the new premises lately acquired by them next to T. and S. Morrin and Co.'s, in Queen-street. The site is one of the most commanding in Auckland, and since the alterations have been carried out the building presents a striking yet beautiful appearance. The substantial stone block of three stories in height is surmounted by a group of allegorical statuary, and on the front the name of the Society is painted in bold characters. Tho ground floor of tho building is occupied by Mr Atkins, draper, and the second story by the Society's offices, while the top floor is to^ let. The suite, consisting of public office, board-room, and manager's office, h beautifully finished, and will be found very commodious. The alterations which were planned by Mr Baitley, architect, have been efficiently carried out by Mr A. G. Reed, and the result is an ornament to our main street, and a credit to the Society and its able local manager, Mr T. D. Edmonds. The Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria, though but recently introduced here, has been in existence for 15 years, and is one of the societies approved by the Government of Victoria for the insurance of members of the Civil Service. No better evidence than this could be given of the standing and reputation of the Society where it is best known. Since the introduction of the Society into New Zealand the result of its operations has been so satisfactory that the obtaining of these large and costly premises was necessary. The local directors are Mr R. C. Barstow, Mr D. B. Cruickshank, and Mr E. Mitohelson, late Minister for Public Works,