THE AUCKLAND FIRE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 577, 1 December 1897, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND FIRE.

By Telegraph—Per Press Association. Auckland, This Day. At the recent fire the way in which goods are sent on board ships was shown by the fact that several demijohns of pure nitric and sulphuric acid were found amongst the salvage. In the case of nitric acid it seemed only marked “ Glass, with care,” and apparently nothing else to show what the contents were. A quantity of acid was also stored on the wharf outside the sheds, and some bottles that got broken yesterday were promptly thrown overboard. This has given rise to the thought that the acids may have had something to do with causing the fire in the first instance. It is a difficult matter to ascertain the actual loss, and the list steadily continues to increase. Some strong opinions have been expressed by the losers in the fire at the apparent injustice of having paid duty upon some of the goods and thus increased their loss, although the articlos were never actually received. This seems all the harder because those importers who have not paid duty have of course escaped the additional loss. It was thought that under tlio circumstances the Government should refund the duty paid. Mr Rose, collector of customs, when approached upon the matter, said as a matter of equity lie thought it fair to give a refund, but before deciding he telegraphed to Wellington and received tho following reply :—“ No authority for refunding duty on goods destroyed by fire. When railway examination shed at Dunedin was burned down a few years ago the Government refused to refund.” Tlio stated value of the mining machinery was ill,ooo but fortunately very little was destroyed, although some was damaged. A large quantity was piled on tlio wharf and on the leeward side of the shed and thus escaped.