GISBORNE NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10624, 1 June 1897, Page 3

GISBORNE NEWS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) Gisboene, Monday. Tbo Settlers' Hotel, Gladstone-road, was destroyed, by Are at 3 o'olock this afternoon. The fire broke out ln a linen closet upstairs, and spread with great rapidity, the flames being fanned by the strong breeze blowing. Mrs Luoas, wife of the licensee, was almost alone ln the house at the time the outbreak was discovered, and before help arrived tbe flames had obtained such a hold that It was possible to save eoarcely anything. Only an old piano and a few sticks of farniture were salvaged. Within ten minutes of the alarm being raised the roof had fallen ln and the building was a heap of flaming rains. The building was owned by Mr T. J. Dickson, who had , leased It to Mr W, F. Crawford, Mr John Luoas being sub-lessee.- It was inenred for £760— £250 ln tbe Liverpool, London, and Globe and £500 la the Palatine office. The Insurance on the stook and farniture wbb £450 ln the Liverpool, London, and Globs. At Walplro an Influential rangatira named Wi Pohlka was oonvioted before Mr Booth, S.M., of Inflicting grievous bodily arm by biting off another Maori's nose. The Magistrate Imposed a fine whioh with costs amounted to £24, There were about 150 natives present, and intense Interest was tnken in the case, j many shedding ooplons floods of tears.

A man named John Colvllle, employed as cook by Mr J. Brown, Bheepfarmer, Karaka, was drowned ln the Waipoa river on Frldav in attempting to cross with a horse and gig at Tiffen'i orosslog while the river was lo flood. Mr Brown, who had sent Colville away to Wharebioo on a message to his slater- in-law, heard nothing of him until Sunday, when be rode thither to make inquiries, and found that Colvllle had left on Friday afternoon. A eearoh revealed tbe gig, with tbe horse ln the shafts, jnst below tho crossing, and deceased's body lower down the river.