ISLAND NEWS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7863, 14 May 1891, Page 6

ISLAND NEWS.

GREAT FIRE IN LEVUKA.

[press association telegram.]

AUCKLAND, May 13.

Later news from Samoa shows that the report of the death of Tamasese is true. He died on the 17th of April, and his remains were buried on the following day in the presence of a great assemblage. Tamasese was sixty-one years of age. On April 13th one of the most destructive fires yet known in Fiji took place at Levuka. It originated in Henning and Co. 's workshops, and spread rapidly amongst the adjacent business premises, including R. Foreman's sail loft. Passing northward, it consumed W. H. Brace's two commodious boatsheds, and finally, through the great efforts of many volunteers, was stayed at J. C. Forbes' ship chandlery stor , Mrs Hawksley's fancy toy repository was pulled down to check the fire. The total lqss is estimated at i>2500. The following are the insurances : —New Zealand Insurance Company— Hennings and Co.'s timber and tools £200, machinery £150; Bruce's stock, .£2OO. South British—Bruce's buildings .£SOO, Foreman's shop i≥lso. Hamburg Magdeburg Company—Hennings and Co.'s buildings and stock .£450, Foreman's stock 42100. An exceedingly heavy flood visited Levuka on the 25th ult. Lnmense volumes of water came roaring down from the hills behind, and almost in a few minutes the town was completely inundated. A Solomon Island woman was drowned, owing to a bridge which she was crossing being ewept away.