that at once forced him and others to retire to a distance. The fire had now extended over the whole of the building, when some townsmen and Kawau natives, being alarmed by the crackling of the flames, and sudden glare, rushed to the spot, but could not render any assistance. The fire had done its work, leaving nothing but smouldering remnants and dismantled chimneys to mark the spot, where stood the neatest house in New Plymouth. The loss is indeed serious - house, Post Office, papers, records, and letters, all gone to the winds; and but for Mr. R. Brown's timely precautions, his premises must hare shared a similar fate. The origin of this very unfortunate event is to be investigated by Dr. Wilson and Mr. Halse, J.P. to-day, at the request of the Resident Magistrate. In the meantime, I enclose extracts from the Orderly Book for your information, and will forward any further matter that may turn