AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 50

AUCKLAND.

Mr A. M'Nicol's barn, enginehouse, sheep-shearing yards, and loose boxes at (Jleavedon were completely destroyed by tire about midnight on Saturday. The loss is a heavy one, as the barn was filled with this season's crop, to be cut into chaff. The chaffcutting engine and plant were worth £100. There was no insurance on the buildings or the stock, and Mr M'Nicol will be a heavy loser. In connection with the fire, a Native named Hare hah been arrested on a charge of horse-stcalirfg, and taken to Papakura. It is alleged that he took the horse out of a paddock at Manurewa, the properly of Mr Evans. The horse was recovered at Sandspit. Hauraki Gulf, by Messrs C. Aitcheson and A. M'Nicol, and taken to the premises adjoining the bain, so that it could be returned to Mr Evans. The horse was got out of his box, but he had been nearly scorched with the fire.

Lord Beanchamp, the Governor of Nev»' South Wales, will be a guest of the Governor and Lady Ranfuiiy at Auckland at the end of February. Lord Tennyson? the Governor of South Australia, snd Lady Tennyson, are likely to pay Auckland a visit in March. Admiral Pearson and the Australian fleet will pay Auckland a visit in Am*il.

Mr G. S. R-eston, governor of Mount Eden Gaol, retires, after 33 years' service. Sixty cases of Australian tomatoes brought by the Westralia were condemned and burned by Captain Brown, Government entomologist, owing to the fruit being infested with fruit fly maggots.

At the inquest touching the death of "Wuiiam Bird, caused by a fire at his son's house on Kingsland road on Sunday evening, a verdict of " Accidental death " was returned. The jury added a rider that the conduct of John P. King and those who assisted him to recover the body was worthy of record.

The death is announced of Mr Haslam ; 74 years of age. He was ex-sergeant-major of the Auckland volunteers, and will be accorded a military funeral. He served in the Hutt war, and was present at the action at Boulcott's farm with the 58th Regiment, where Bugler Allen was cut down while sounding the alarm. When Allen's right arm was tomahawked he caught the bugle with his left hand, and roused his comrades.

The Rev. Mr Gillies, missionary from the New Hebrides, took ill at Hamilton, and is compelled to abandon for the present all his future engagements in various parts of Auckland province.