DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 80, 4 December 1913, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

FIRES IN AUCKLAND.

[Pee Press Association.] Auckland, December 3. Ouetbreaks of fire in three of the largest drapery store's in the city caused feelihg 1 of uneasiness, and there are suspicions of incendiaries being at work. On'Saturday night an outbreak in the premises of Mi the and Choyce did a £I OOO dafiiage. The fire occurred at a large stand of fancy goods add laces near a ’ windb’wj abolit 8 p.m., though the shop was closed at 1 p.m. Last night abolit 9 p.m. a fife was discovered between two counters in the premises of John’ Court, draper, Queen Street, but it was extinguished before much damage was done. Subsequently a quantity of carbide was discovered, indicating that the fire had started 1 through' tiiat medium. The third outbreak occuri'ed in the premises of Smith and Caughey, drapers, Queen Street, at five o’clock this morning. The fire brigade received the alarm from the automatic ssytehi installed there. On entering the premises it was found that their services were only necessary to turn off the water. It appears that the fire started in a cabinet containing reels of cotton and extended to a table containing fancy goods, all of which was destroyed. The heat of the flames had burst the glass built over table, the effect of which was to automatically turn a deluge of water on a burning mass. The' damage is estimated at about TIUOdV The police are investigating all three fires.

A' ThAC'EDY. Blenheim, December 3. _ Duncan McCallum, aged about 35 years, grain and produce merchant, of Blenheim, was found dead at his home at Springlands 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 gun barrel in his mouth and pulled towards hint,' thus discharging the weapon. His head was shattered. Deceased's wife and chile} were on a visit Ito Nelson r at the time of v 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 6f the regular Sydney steabler from Wellington;will not sail till Saturday. The Waipori is expected here in a few dajs time with a full load of Newcastle coal for bunkering the boats engaged in the coastal and ferry services. The Opawa sails for London this afternoon. Auckland, December 3. The Maheno arrived from Sydney at 8.30 this morning after a fine weather voyage. The trip occupied 5 days S hours. The vessel was worked by a scratch crew*, composed of officers, assisted by volunteers, mostly passengers. Those working in the stokehold worked very satisfactorily with the engineers, theraselv.es 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.