BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 989, 23 July 1872, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(PEE GttEVILLE'S TELEGRAM COirrAKr.) WELLINGTON". At a caucus of Goldfielda members held to-day, it was resolved to advocate the reduction of the gold duty sixpence this session, and sixpence each succeeding session uutil abolished. CHRISTCHUECH J. C. Wilson is a candidate for Heathcote district.

EIRE AT SHORTLAND.

The following are the latest particulars. The fire apparently originated in a building used as a bowling alley, near the Melbourne Hotel. A few minutes after the first alarm, ahout 2 o'clock, all the ranges were illuminated. A great crowd of the inhabitants of the houses were in the greatest danger, and got out in their nightdresses, saving scarcely anything Those further removed worked hard to save the furniture. Merchandise in a few minutes, was stacked in a continuous pile, and stretched along near the houses on the opposite side. A determined attempt was made to save a large building by pulling down the shop ofKnight, butcher, and the building was pulled down piecemeal in the middle of the street. The wiud blowing from the north-west carried the flames towards the sea on the Grey street end. The whole west side of the street from the Bank of New Zealand on the south to the Black Forest Butchery on the north, was literally reduced to ashes. The following houses were consumed : Two or three belonging to Driver; house in which M'Gregor, solicitor, formerly had an office ; Harrison's Melbourne Boarding-house: Marks' boot shop and house ; Mr Whitehead's house; Hale's shop ; Harley's boot shop and dwelling-house ; bowling alley; Blundell's watchmaker's shop and dwelling-house adjoining the bowlin galley; Grant's painter's shop and dwelling-house; Mrs Ritchie's two houses ; and Gerrish,s oyster saloon. The damage is very heavy.