FIRE MEETING.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1309, 3 July 1860, Page 3

FIRE MEETING.

A meeting of persons interested in the extinction cf fires took place yesterday at Messrs. Connell and Ridings' stores ; Mr. A. Clark in the chair. Tho following resolutions were agreed to :—: — " That in consequence of the frequent occurrence of fires in this city, and the want of adequate and efficient means for their extinction, as well as for the prevention of the recklebs destruction of property which usually takes place, it is expedient that steps be taken to render the existing moans more effective, and to establish some organized plan of operations for the citizens generally." " That a Committee, consisting of six gentlemen, be appointed to carry out the suggestions of the present meeting to procure all necessary information on the subject, and to report the same to an adjourned meeting with as little delay as possible. The Committee to corsist of, Messrs. Boylan, Firth, Morrin, Russell, Clark, Ridings, Pierce, Jarvis " The meeting then adjourned.

Firj-proof S vfes, — The late fire has had the effect of quickening the sale of fire-proof safes ; so that it may be called an ill wind which blows no one any good Their value, however, has been fairly tested. All that Mr. Bracey, the solicitor, has saved was contained in his two Milner's safes. His law library was destroyed, but the deeds, and other documents of importance, have been preserved. The paper bore the intense heat far better than the parchment ; the cheques and promissory notes are presentable, one of the former having be en presented yesterday. The parchments, though much shrivelled, are legible, and perfectly good for evidence, though a good deal of trouble will have to be take in making copies for ordinary use. "We are informed that Mr. Bracey has taken a temporary office over Messrs. Brown & Campbells store. Choral Society — By a notice in our advertizing columns, it will be perceived that the performance of Israel in Egypt, interrupted on Thursday last by the fire in Queen street, will be repeated on Thursday next An opportunity is thus afforded us of noticing the book of words, in the form that it has assumed. The Coinmitea of the Society, aware that the meagre librettos in use for oratorios convey a very confused idea, of the action of the drama, requested Mr. Forsaith to prepare an accompanying critique, developing the intentions both of the compiler of the words, and of the composer of the music. They have certainly put the task into bafe hands. The water had ab-eady achieved a marked success in his exposition of the Elijah ; and in the present instance, we think, one still more so. The worc'b are ably supplemented, without diffuseness ; and the critic has shown himself able to appreciate and explain the design of him who after the lapse of so many years, still soars above all other composers of sacred music. The English April Mail. — How the English mail for Napier is to be forwarded no one can tell. The White Swan has been taken up by the government, and will consequently mis 3 one trip — that by which the mail should be conveyed. We suppose that in the event of some vessel happeoing to sail for Napier, the mail will be put on board ; if not, it will be retained til the next trip of the Swan. In either case, we rtiall be a foitnight behind time, and lose all chance of sending replies in course of po3t. It will be seen that the homeward mail is to be sent to -Wellington by the schooner Canterbury to sail this forenoon. Meeting op Maori Chiefs. — The following natives have arrived in Auckland :— From] Wellington, Porutu, Hemi Parai, Manihera (Maunsell). From the Wairarapa — Eaniera te Iho, Te Wereta Kawekairangi, Ngatuere, Wi waka, Te Koronehe, and 2 others. — From Turanga, Poverty Bay — Waaka Perohuka, Tamati Hapimana, and Tamihana. From the East Cape— Wireniu, Wikiriwhi, Te Irimana. From the Bay of Islands— Tamati Waaka Nene, Wiremu Hau, Wjremu Tete, Wiremu Kaitara, Mangonui, Tango Hikawai. Many more are expected in the Victoria to arrive in the next few days from Wanganui via Wellington, Hawkes Bay, and East Coast generally. Mr. McLean may be expected by the same .opportunity. Loss OF A Mail. — The overland mail which left for the South on Wednesday last has been lost in the Waikato by the upsetting of * canoe in crossing that river. The particulars of the accident have not reached us. Katipa,— This chief is dead : lie died recently of the prevailing epidemic. Many other chiefs of note we regret to say are at present suffering from the same disease, and even amongst those who have just arrived there are only too evident, signi of there being many sufferers from the same cause. It is to be hoped that the arrangements made for their comfort here may have the effect of restoring 'them to health. ' Young Men's Chbistian Association.— The Rev, G. H. Johnstone gives' a lecture on Friday next, July 6th. Subject— "Thft art of living with others ai conducive to success in life." Theltev. lecturer's capa-' bilities are too well ' known' to require any cbniment from vi ; witness the great success of hi» series of sketches of the Austrian Empire when ,his power of graphic description, his humour and wit made Mm an, universal favourite amongtt those who had the "pleasure of listening to him. ' The subject of Mr. Johnstone's present lecture as given above, is /rather a wide one, bnt it may be anticipated that he will be, able, „to s steer clear of generalities, and in his* own peculiar mamier be able to define and illustrate what we take to bo hit point* of departure :— "That man is a'< gregarious animal, was not meant; to live alone, but had,a patfcto act amongst hi* fellow men, and that a life spent without human sympathies is tinsuccessfuland a| failure." Wemay mention that' the farther' programme, of lectures to be delivered at the above Association' this 'season is most inviting, and,the lecturer!, men; wjli'cpmp^tent to do justice 'to the mibjeots they have respectively, choien. Lave Fnffl.— ln reference to the jfirejof rlThurs,day night last, we have to correct an error, -into^whicb., we fell in our* notice published the' following morning. One engine linmiotakeably distinguished 'itself on. the Hjghf in question, o *nd.'it waVgenerally supposed toibo, the barraok engine., It,provej,*,b;ofvwfir <( oni enquiry fo hive been.the So. l.^Cadman, OapUw^Tfce origin of 1 bi'mistaKe ! wai i tlie'follbftihg :^No. I. was *Mhe fir©

'at m'tftyftofar/tiuftiu coa^lfence'of s »/*Un4 l «i l tt» ; liosej nacLto remove 'to f; the ' rear in' order & be set to righti, 'and juit u tb!« bd fc done, U>d it wo. in working order, the BkrraokWgiii6 oamo downKiorUand 'Creieeat: ThoM 'not near, enough to' diitingmih, of course concluded that the effective »tresuni of wnter which immediately succeeded, ' o»me from the newly arrived engine, wliilit in reality they proceeded from the recovered invalid, which juit then was beginning to piny on the fire.