(From our own Correspondent.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 426, 16 January 1875, Page 2

(From our own Correspondent.)

Dunedin, January 15. The Albion, with the English mail, arrived at the Bluff at daylight this morning, and sailed for Dunedin, at p.m. A fire broke out in Strachan's brewery shortly after 6 o'clock this morning, and the whole of the wooden part of the brewery was destroyed. The origin of the fire is attributed to the spontaneous combustion of six bags of patent malt delivered at half-past six last night, and stored close to the wall where the fire broke out. The insurances are : Royal, £500 ; Standard, £500 ; and the estimated value of the building, stock, &c. is £1500. The woman who fell over the embankment at Clarke-streefc yesterday, and who last night was not expected to live, is to-day a great deal better. In the Resident Magistrate's Court today, Mr. Bathgate delivered judgment in the test case of Police v. Barker, of the Criterion, for keeping his house open after ten o'clock the time for closing, license not having been extended by a Resident Magistrate, The judgment was very lengthy, and against the defendant, but being a test case the nominal fine of 20s and costs was awarded. Mr. Haggitt gave notice of appeal. London, January 6. Another colliery explosion occurred at Rotherham, resulting in the loss of seven lives. Paris, January 7. In his message, President M'Mahon asked the Assembly to vote the first and second Chamber Bill. The Assembly, after discussion, rejected the proposal by a majority of 420 against 250. The ministry will resign. Melbourne, January 10. The yield of gold has fallen off considerably from previous years. Tne Revenue returns shew a decrease on the quarter of £15,575, but an increase on*the year of £151,839. The total Revenue is £4,053,864. A large number af men are wanted for railway works, at 7s per day of 8 hours. Sydney. The motion to expunge the Governors minute reparding Gardiners release is sure to be carried against the Government. Hokitika, January 15. An extraordinary fire occurred at Hokitika. An alarming thunderstorm passed over the town last night. At ten o'clock, the storm culminated in a quick succession of fearful flashes of lightning. One flash, resembling a big comet or thunderbolt, struck the Bell Tower and the Fire Bri- ; gade Hall, and in a few seconds the buildings were in flames. The engines were got out of the burning buildings with difficulty. The buildings were entirely destroyed, and ths Savings Bank adjoining was saved with difficulty.