TELEGRAMS.

Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3699, 1 September 1883, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 31. The Eaiparft planing sheds and three millions feet of timber were burnt during last nig lit. The fir* wm rftging «ll night. The

whole station and large .saw. mills escaped almost miraculously.' The' fire is now well under, bat the danger is not over. The loss is from £15,000 to £20,000. - !: Later. ' The ladies donation, of £1000,, it now appears, is to found a Women's Home, not a Scripture Gift Association. The fire at the Eaipara mill station- , originated in the stoke hole of the little mill at one o'clock this morning. The large sawmills and station were saved through the exertion of the hands. The South British had £250 on the offices, £375 on stores, goods.JJThe latter is said to be saved.' TheNational had a similar amount, and the New Zealand office £800, but accounts,to hand leave it in doubt whether the offices and stores are destroyed, (The timber iv the yard destroyed is said to^ba uninsured. The first statement of "loss; is declared to be exaggerated. ejsjag **rag *"" *"■ ~*f?Aiigi»l 81. A report is tojhand'thatjsplendid stone has been struck in; the Bed Queen Company!s winze, Mohikinui. This Company is expected to crush before Christmas. TIMARTJ, August 81. Miss Lucy Hibbard, second daughter of Mr Benjamin Hibbard, one of the oldest citizens in Timaru, was found drowned in an underground tank this afternoon. She was about twenty years of age. It is supposed that she fall into the tank while trying to recover a letter from a sister, which was found floating on the surface. ■ DTJNEDIN, August 81. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held to-day. Mr George Bell, proprietor of the 'Evening Star, 1 was elected Chairruan for the ensuing year. The outgoing Chairman in his speech referred to the dull times, and said trade was worse than last year. He pointed out that large Joint Stock Companies were coming into vogue, doing away with individual merchants. These Joint Stock Companies possessed large capital, borrowed in the London market at half the rate of interest the local banks charge. Against this no private enterprise could successfully compete, and he pointed out that the profits are not spent in the Colony, but go to support a class of absentees whose only interests in the country were • thY dividends they were receiving from it. The Chamber passed a resolution viewing with satisfaction the assurance given by the Ministry that the Otago central line would be open to Suttbn in two years.