The Press. MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1867.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1378, 8 April 1867, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1867.

Mb Haugheaves's Cup.—ln consequence of the heavy south-west gale of wind which blew on Saturday last, tho firing by the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery Batteries for the hnudsomo silver cup presented by Mr E. A. Hargreaves was postponed. Wo believe that the contest will not now take place until the return of the competitors for the colonial prizes from Wellington. Gunner Cragic, of No. 2 Battery, left per Tararua, tho Otago representatives being on board. Provincial Gazett?. — The "Gazette," published on Saturday last, contains a proclamation constituting Leeston an educational district; a notification that Cyrus Davie, Chief Surveyor, is authorised to sign maps; a bye-law of the City Council for licensing and regulating the carriage of goods by carriers plying for hire, with schedules con taming the form of application for a carrier's 1 cense, and tho table of rate? for the carriage of goods ; and a list of three petitioners for relief under the Debtors and Creditors Act, all three trading in Westland.

Inquests.—On Saturday, the coroner of the district J. W S. Coward, Esq., held two inquests ; tlie first took place at three o'clock at the Racecourse hotel, on the body of Ann Eliza Barrett, an infant four months of ago The evidence proved that the child had been taken with convulsions, and had died before medical assistance could be procured. Dr Newnham, who had made a postmortem examination, testified to the fact that the child had died from the above cause, and a verdict of " Died by tiie visitation of God" was returned. —The other inquest was held at the George and Dragon hotel, on the South road, at half past four p in., on the body of James Herbert. The evidence in this case showed that the deceased, a schoolmaster, had not for some time past enjoyed good health, and had, for change of air, proceeded to Templeton to stay with his brother-in-law for a week or two. The deceased had gone to bed apparently in good spirits on Friday night, but in the morning he was found dead in his bed. A post mortem examination of the body had been made by Dr. Leech, who stated that the cause of death was the breaking of a blood vessel. A verdict of" Death from natural causes" was returned.

The Late Fire —No clue has as yet been discovered as to the origin of the fire which took place on Saturday morning in Colombo street. That it broke out in Mr Bishop's stables there can be no doubt, as tho loft was on fire when the police arrived on the ground, and was then strictly confined to that portion of the building, and when a few buckets of water would have extinguished it. Abutting on to Mr Bishop's stable was that of Mr Bruce's and Meßsrs. Lane Brothers, and these, funned by the gentle wind blowing, quickly became a mass of ilame, and long before the engines arrived all hope of saving them was gone. In both stables there was a largo stock of hay and other feed, and once having caught their destruction was certain. From these stables the flames were communicated to tho back buildings of Mr Prince's premises, and from them to the buck of all the remaining ones in the row to the south of Cookliam-house. At this time it seemed impossible to save the latter buildings, but the wind fortunately shifted and blew towards the bi ilding already on fire or nearly consumed. The Fire Brigmle then did admirable service, and the two jets, from the steam fire-engine and that from No. 2, were played on the back of tho burning buildings, and very shortly all danger was at an end. Tho lose must bo far greater from the removal than from the fire. Tlie premises gutted were those of Mr Jameson, grocer ; Mr Lane, butcher ; Mr Coates, watchmaker, and tho offices above the shop ; Mr Phillips, draper ; Miss Dwyer, tobacconist ; Mr Gee, confectioner ; and Mr Bruce's private residence at the back. The manner in which the Fire Brigade worked was the theme of general admiration, and although possibly they might have l>e;*n a little sooner on the spot they were the means of saving many thousand pounds worth of property. The police also were very vigilant, and strange to say with tho many inducements offere i for pilfering wo did not hear of a single case. Colombo street presented a scene of great confusion, tho greater part of the property being carried from the burning buildings to the opposite sido of tho street; and, when deposit* I, some scores of candles were i t to siiow where the property sa. c.l was. Every one seemed willing to help but no small quantity of goods were destroyed by the over anxiety of people to assist. Several Volunteers were present, and rendered efficient service. Tho following are we believe the insurances on the buildings and stock, eomo of which aro however only partially destroyed: Bruce, on arables, buildings, furniture, &c, £1700, in tho Liverpool, London, and other offices ; Gee, £LOOJ, iv the Now Zealand ; Lane, Bros., £800, in the North British und I Mercantile ; Prince, £300 (building only), in j the Saw Zealand ; Jameson, £1000, in tho j Victoria; Mi-s Dwycr, £150 ; Coates, £2000, 'iv the Koyul; aud Phillips £300.