TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4872, 26 January 1903, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

pnnss ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, January 25. Heavy Sonth-west rain set in last night, and continnes. If it clears np soon it will not do much damage to the crops, but will delay the oats harvest, which is now in full swing. About 4 o’clock this morning Constable Treahy discovered an old age pensioner, named George AVatters. in a water storage tank in Cathedral square. His coat and waistcoat were hanging on the railings outside. The man was in a very exhausted state, and was nearly drowned. He is now recovering at the hospital. DUNEDIN, January 25. After eight days' fine summer weather, which wfls bringing on the crops famously, rain set in last evening, and has continued ever since. A firs broke out shortly after midnight last night in F. Ai Harper's furniture warehouse and factory in the Octagon. The premises were practically gutted. The fire had a good hold before the alarm ,was given. Tho stock was valuod at about .£2OOO, and Was insured for .£IBSO, divided as follows;—Manchester office, £6oo'; Commercial Union. .£300; New Zealand, .£250; Alliance, £450; South British, £230. The building was insured for £20(10—.£500 each in the National, Now Zealand and Standard and Victoria offices. INVERCARGILL, January 24. A fire occurred about 8 p.m. in the wooden portion of the block known as Neil’s, Doe stroot, and destroyed most of the Stock of G. Kicrnan. upholsterer. It also damaged the .premises of Burrell, photographer, and the stock of Bunston, tailor. Kiernan had just brought in some flax fibre which had been drying in tho yard. This he stored under the stairs, and returned to work in the top flat. Immediately afterwards the flax was ablaze. Most of it was pot outside, but the walls were afire and the place was gutted. Kieruan’s stock was insured for .£2OO in the New Zealand office, and was valued at £3OO. The origin of the fire is not known. There were no other insurances. . V