SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1778, 2 April 1874, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Press Ageney.) * . ■ DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT NELSON. Nelson, Wednesday. A destructive fire o'ecurred this morning in Bridge-street. It broke out in Phillips's Boap works, and destroyed them, together with his shop, Thornton's saddler's shop on one side and Wymond's draper's shop on the other; also the billiard-room and stables belonging to the Trafalgar Hotel. Wymond's store was insured for £4,100, and the building, which belongs to Harley, for £1,400. Phillips's store and house were insured for £900, Thornton was uninsured. Wymond's loss is far in excess of the insurance. The total insurance is— South British, £1,400; Norwich Union, £500; National, £1,000 ; Victoria, £1,800; New Zealand, £1,000; London, Liverpool, and Globe, £1,500. The flames had secured complete hold before any alarm was given.—Sailed: 7 p.m. yesterday the s.s, 'Wellington' for the North. " • •' Wellington* Wednesday.

The Independent sßys that the cause of delay in the publication of the Handbook to the colony is owing to two of the principal provinces not having had their portions ready. It believes that the intention now is to send the Handbook home for publication and distribute it there in large numbers. The portions now wanted of the book are promised in another week.—The Commodore desires it should be known that her Majesty's Consul at Fiji investigated the financial position of Fiji, and that it appears the expenditure of the Government during, the two years ending December, 1873, was £124,000, while the revenue was only £42,000; and further, that there is nothing to show for the expenditure but; public offices, which cost about £1,200, and a few hundred rifles. The interest on the debt of Fiji is stated to be £424 : per month, and the commerce, it appears, states there is no prospect of paying the amount. The Commodore is anxious it' : should be known that the Fijian chiefs: formally requested her Majesty to under-, take the Government of Fiji, and pending Queen's consideration of the request the Commodore is consulting with foreign Consuls respecting a provisonal government. Gbeymouth, Wednesday. The manager of the Greymouth Coal Company reports that coal has been 1 proved in boring at 220 feet. The seam is 17 feet thick, and of first-class quality.: He also reports that a quarter of a mile ; from the borings coal has been proved at 65 feet from the surface. At that spot a; shaft is to be started at once, the requisite' machinery having been purchased. The ; company will be ready to supply coal in, three months.