INVERCARGILL.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3022, 22 October 1878, Page 2

INVERCARGILL.

Monday;

A destructive fire broke ont in Dee street last night. It was discovered by Constable Dummett, atIO.SO, in the shop and also the residence of Lorensen, tailor. It was a wooden building, and the flames spread rapidly, seized upon a small Louse on the north side and out-houses in the rear, and on the south side, and took hold of Cordon's confectionery shop. By this time about a quarter of an hour had elapsed, and the fire brigade had arrived with two engines, but the supply of water was deficient, and as the canvas hoses were leaking, very little impression could be make on the fire. Three houses were Boon wrapped in flames. The fire next seized Miller's tailoring establishment, but the brigade and others set to work and pulled it down, and so slacked the progress of the fire. Five buildings besides outhouses were destroyed. The greater part of the contents of the houses, except Lorensen's, were saved. He lost the greater part of his stock. Over one thousand people assembled at the fire, and good service was rendered by many there. Mr Elliott, of the New Zealand Insurance, was. particularly conspicuous, together with Inspector Fox and Sergeant Trooheay, of the police. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Lorensen says he left the house at half past one, and did not go back till he heard the fire bell ring. The following are the insurances :~New Zealand, £125, Lorensen's stock ; £200, Cordon's stock and house; Union, £3C3, Cordon's house, stock, and furniture; Colonial, £200, Miller's stock.; National, £175, Lorensen's stock; Phoenix, £100, Cordon's house.

Yesterday was Hospital Sunday. The total offertory amounted to £104 15s 10d ; Episcopalians and Presbyterians contributed nearly half.

In the District Court to-day John Fishenden was charged, at the instance of the Crown, with having absconded with nerty belonging to his creditors. Imiately before, bankruptcy he sold his hotel to his brother, and with the proceeds; amounting to nearly £300, decamped to Melbourne on the following day. He was arrested in that city on the 23rd of June, living with a woman who had formerly been his barmaid, and £180 of the money was recovered. The jury could not agree, and were locked up. They will be kept confined until two o'clock to-morrow morning if they fail to find a verdict.