AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2052, 6 January 1887, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT A FIRE. THE CENTENNIAL EHHIBITION. FATAL FIRE AT ADELAIDE. (Per Mariposa, at Auckland.) Melbourne, Dec. 29. A fire broke out last evening at Footseray. The two local brigades the Footscray Brigade and tho Footscray Temperance Brigade—were promptly on the spot, and a disgraceful sceno ensued. A struggle between them for precedence at tho plugs took place, and a series of fights ensued, varied with vigorous squirtiDgs of water at each other. This scandalous conduct culminated in a serious assault on Captain White, of the Footscray Brigade, who was so seriously injured by a pipce of road metal thrown at him while on the roof of building superintending operations that his life is despaired of. The Chief Seoretary calculates that the cost to the country of the Centennial Exhibition will not exceed £23,000. Adelaide, Dec 29.

A fire broke out on Friday evening in Custler’s drapery store. Rundle-street. It being Christmas Eve the streets were thronged, and crowds of people witnessed the conflagration. The supply of water, however, was very scarce, and the flamei raged almost unchecked. Two firemen named Gardler and Clarke were buried by a falling wail, Clarke was resoued but was so seriously burned that he died next day. Gardner’s remains were recovered when the fire had burned itself out. Both were accorded a public funeral which was numerously attended l)y alj classes of tho community,