WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3738, 17 December 1880, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

A fire broke out in an unoccupied cottage in Fraser's Lane, at 1.30 this morning. The building was soon burnt to the ground, and the flames spread to a five-roomed cottage occupied to Mr A. Gutten and owned by J. Gascoigne, which was also destroyed. An attached house occupied by Mrs DeLacey was partially burnt. No insurance on the unoccupied house, but only on Gascoigne's, which was insured for £150 in the New Zealand. Cutten is a heavy loser, as the furniture was uninsured. The origin of the fire is unknown. At the Magistrates Court John Robertson was remanded to Sydney. It being alleged that he was one of the persons concerned in the robbery of a sum of money and jewellery there in 1878.

A respectable looking man named John Keele, who was arrested at Wanganui was brought up on a charge of issuing valueless cheques in Wellington and was remanded until to-morrow.

An unoccupied cottage was burnt this morning. It was owned by Thompson, a boarding house keeper, and was insured in the Union Office for £100.

The Grand Lodge of Templars resumed yesterday. The report of the Eepresentatives to the Great Intercolonial Temperance Conference recently held in Melbourne was then read, giving some of the results of the Conference. A deputation from the W.G. Lodge had waited on the Chief secretary, the Hon. Mr Berry, calling his attention the fact that the Act for closing public houses on Sunday was violated with impunity. It was gratifying to bear that this deputation had been well received, and their request was granted, the result being an immense reduction in the number of "drunks" at the Police Court on Monday mornings. It was also resolved that a deputation wait on the Government in Wellington to call attention to similar trahgressions of the Licensing laws in New Zealand. A resolution was also passed supporting the principals of the Conference,and thanking the Representatives who had visited Melboarne. During the evening Jago, Past Grand Worthy Chief Templar, was presented with an illuminated address, accompanied by a handsome gold watch and chain and a very chaste tea and coffee service for Mrs Jago. The testimonial j was in recognition of the services rendered by Mr Jago, and also the high esteem with which the members of temperance regarded him. Many representatives from all parts of the jurisdiction testified to the valuable services rendered by bim. Mr Jago in returning thanks was glad that he had been able to take his share in 'waging war against the great evil of intemperance. Later. The Temperance Conference resumed to-day, when the officers for the ensuing year were elected, and it was decided the next session should be held at Invercargill.