CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3433, 23 December 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Last night

A. fire broke out on Monday raorniag on the Norwich Quay, Lyttelton, destroying Hope's blacksmith shop, Bain's grocery store, Wood's ship chandler's store, sail loft rod cor I yard. The total loss is estimated at £3500. Insurances £950 South. Biitish, £835 Jfirerpool end Lancashire, £2300 Colonial. £1120 Sun Office. Part of the amount is re-insured in other offices. The fire is supposed to hare originated in the blacksmith's which was closed on Saturday at.half-past six, at which time all fires were supposed to be out. There was an excellent supply of water, and the steam tug laid on a hose and did good service.

A sperm whale was seen inside the Lyttelton breakwater yesterday. It eventually made its escape through a gap in the western breakwater.

The Lvtteiton and Christchurch Post Offices are to be connected by telegraph by Saturday. It is expected that the Lyttelton Harbor Board will be placed in communication with the Sends and Pilot Station. • -Err? It was rumored Ui MMJiM&y that on Saturday last oref !|g£llp|s in various departments at terminus received notice that thflj^Hßlces would bo dispensed with at aiMMjf "date. It is also stattd that sorao employees receiving 9s per day were informed that their wages would shortly bo reduced to Bs. At the suggestion of Mr W. Sennaway, secretary' to the Acent-6cne» ral, Mr W. H. Mold, of Anhford, Kent, England, the grower of pedigree wheat, known as "Mold's ennobled red and white" has written to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, with a view of having "the wheat tried by the farmers of this district. N. JR. Mutrie, commissioned by the American Minister, visited Mr Mold's farm last year, and reported that 70 acres sown with this wheat produced more than 170- acres of ordinary Aineriran wheat. That gentleman took away 200* sacks to be distributed in America. It is stated that on one root as many as 105 heads have been grown; Only half the usual quantity of the seed is required, and it is sown a month earlier, as it requires time and room.