DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 79, 3 December 1913, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

FIRES IN AUCKLAND. 1

[Peb Pkess Association.]

; .. . December 3.. ; Quet breaks of lire ,m three of the largest drapery stores in the pity caused reeling of uneasiness, and there are suspicions; of incendiaries being at i, ork, On Saturday night _an outbreak .in. tii.e premises ot Milne and Choyee cud a £iooo damage. The fire occurred at a large stand of fancy goods and luces near a window, about .8 p.m., though the shop was closed at 1 p.m. Last night about 9 p.m. a fire was discovered between two counters in the premises of John Court, draper, ytieen Street, but it was extinguished before mucn damage was done. Subsequently a quantity of carbide was discovered, indicating that the fire had started through that medium. Ino third outbreak occurred in the premises of Smith and Caughey, drapers, Queen Street, at five o'clock this morning. The lire brigade received the alarm from the automatic ssytem installed there. On entering the premises it was found that their services n ere only necessary to turn off the »ratcr. It appears that the lire started in a cabinet containing reels of cotton and extended to a table containing lancy goods, all of which was destroyed. Tne heat of the flames had burst the glass built over the table, the clloct of which was to automatically tilrn a deluge of water on a burning itlass. The damage. is estimated at about £IOOO. The police are investigating all three fires. A BLENHEIM TRAGEDY.

Blenheim, December 3

Duncan McCallum, aged about 35 years, grain and produce mercnant, of Blenheim, was found dead at his home at Spiinglands yesterday evening. Circumstances point to suicide, a shot-gun being found with a strap tied to the trigger and fastened to a stove. Evidently deceased placed the gnu barrel in his mouth and pulled towards him, thus discharging the weapon. His head was shattered. Deceased's wife and child were on a visit to Nelson at the time of the tragedy. LATE SHIPPING. Wellington, December 3. Owing to the late arrival from Sydney the departure of the Aorangi for San Francisco has been postponed until noon on Saturday.

The Tahiti, which will take the place of the regular Sydney steamer from Wellington will not sail till Saturday. The Waipori is expected here in a few clays time with a full load of Newcastle coal for bunkering the bouts engager] in the coastal and ferry services. The Opawa sails for London this afternoon. Auckland, December .'5. The Mnheno arrived from Sydney at--8.30-this morning alter a line weather jvoyage. The trip occupied •"> days (.! Ihours. The vessel was worked by a j sera tch crew, composed of officers, assisted by volunteers, mostly passjeng|ers. Those working in the stokehold worked very satisfactorily with the engineers, themselves doing firemen's duty. The stewards were short-staffed, and were assisted by the lady passengers at table. A general endeavor to [overcome difficulties was manifested.