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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 122, 28 May 1867, Page 2

We regret to state that another fire took place in Auckland early on the morning of the 4th inst., which resulted in the total destruction of eight houses and two stables, situated in Wyndhamstreet. It appears that the fire broke out in the south-east corner of a room in the upper story of the Shakespeare Hotel, and then spread rapidly to the adjoining, buildings, and there being but a scanty supply of water, eight houses and other buildings were destroyed before it could be got under. The origin of the fire is a mystery. A story is current in Dunedin, which, if true, shows the singular and dangerous ideas which are afloat. The steamer Albion, having passed the Head* by mistake, and having again to make for the south, was reported at head-quarters as "a suspicious craft sailing southward," the inference being drawu that Mr. ' Stafford was on board and intended to land at the Clutha, or that the vessel had troops on board which she would land at the Taieri. We learn from Melbourue papers that a prospectus had been printing for private circulation in London, jnst prior to the departure of tiie February Mail, to establish a combined postal and passenger communication between Great Britain and Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope, in fortyfive days (nine days shorter than the present contract time for the mails via Southampton and Suez), to be called the British and Australian Steam -Navigation Co. (Limited). H.M.S. Charybdis, 17, Captain A. M. Lyons, has left Gravesend for a threeyears' cruise on the Australian station.