AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3862, 16 May 1881, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day

A large two storey building in Wakefield street, occupied by H. Hitchen's, manufacturer of the Blood Restorer, was totally destroyed by fire last night. A double cottage adjoining was partially destroyed. All Hitchen's furniture and plant was consumed. It was insured for £500 in the Royal. The house was owned by the City Council, and was insured for £100 in the National, and £100 in the South British. The adjoining building, also the property of the City Council, was also insured for £100 each in the National and South British. The chimney of Hitchen's house had been on fire during the day, and it is believed that it was not wholly extinguished, or that a spark had smouldered amongst the shingles'.

George Fisher, general dealer, of Wellesley street, rose in his usual health, and after lighting the fire went up -to his bedroom where he wan seized with a violent fit of coughing. Froth oozed from his mouth, find lie died in a few minutes. A verdict of " Death from natural causes" was returned. It is supposed that congestion of the brain from violent coughing was the cause.

Saturday.

At the Hokianga K.M. Court, John Lundon, M.H/R. for the Bay of Islandsi charged James McLeod with using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. McLeod pleaded not guilty. John Lundon deposed that the affair arose out of his being deputed by the County Council to go to Auckland to meet members of the Government, McLeod considered he Ought to have gone as one of the deputation, and used insulting language Defendant said to him he never had " M.E.G." on his back, and also that he (plaintiff) had neither house nor money. When cross-examined, Lundon declined to state his occupation. He had been in gaol, but lUbert Graham, as stated, did not put him in- He declined to state who put him in, or whether he was tried by a jury. J. Mclnny deposed that he heard McLeod say he had never been in gaol, nor had he ever had any Government mark on his clothing. EEc did not say Lundon had any, but that he (McLeod) had not. Defendant denied,,the charge. He believed M.E. in his summons to mean Minister of Education. He bad known defendant 38 years, but neyer knew any good of him. Lundon addressed the Court, explaining how he got into gaol and how he got out. McLeod was bound over to keep the peace for three months.