FATAL FIRE IN WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11098, 13 December 1897, Page 2

FATAL FIRE IN WANGANUI.

A WOMAN BURNED TO DEATII. [PEK PKESS ASSOCIATION^ Wa^gakui, December 12. — A sad fatal fire occurred hero at 3 o'clook on Saturday afternoon, when St. John's Working Men's Club was totally destroyed, as also was a large malthouse adjoining. Owing to a leakage in the water main, supposed to have been caused by the recent earthquake, the Brigade, who worked splendidty, had but a feeble supply of Water at command, which was utteily inadequate to cope with the flames. Mrs J. McGregor, wife of the custodian, who, it was believed, was safely out of the building, was subsequently found to have perished, and her charred remainswere taken to the morgue. Both the club and malthouse were owned by Mr Thatcher, who is at present in England. The total insurances are said to be £1400 -£6OO on each building in the South British, and ±200 on the stock of the malthouse in the same office ; but the correct particulars are not yet available. ANOTHER LARGE FIRE IN AUSTRALIA. ♦ ESTIMATED DAMAGE, £20,000. [per press association.] Sydney, December 11.— AfireatNarrabi destroyed a large- business block in the centre of the town, comprising twenty-six business places and offices, chiefly of wood. The damage is estimated at £20,000. WRECK OP AN AUSTRALIAN COASTAL STEAMER. » ALL HANDS SATED. [per press association] Sydmey, December 11.— The steamer Fitzroy went ashore ten miles south of Port Stephens at one o'clock this morning. All lives wore saved. Seventy passengers and 42 of the crew landed on the 1 6a ;h. A heavy soa was running when the Fitzroy grounded. The passengers and crew remained on board till daylight, and were then brought ashore in boats. Some had only their nightdresses on. The passengers behaved splendidly. The steamer lies broadside on, with a heavy list to starboard, and there is every probability that she will beci me a total wreck. She wad under the command of Captain Grahl and left Sydney on Friday night for Brisbane. The weather was very dirty. After striking, the vessel remained upright for an hour, and then heeled over to s'arboard. The guuwale and all the boats on that side were gmished. The seas were breaking clean over her. After some difficulty, the females were got on deck, and sheltered in the captain's room. They were terribly distressed, and Buffered greatly from cold. As soon as daylight broke, the first bdat was launched, but was instantly dashed to pieces' against, the vessel, 'J be second boat suffered tho same fate,- but the third was successfully floated, and the woman were placed in it. This boat safely reached the shore, which was 200 yardti distant. Two boats in five trips removed all the handa. Tho vessel was insured In London brncts, and the cargo 1 is covered in local offices for small amotinti. BRITISH LABOUR TROUBLES. * ENGINEERS FAVOR REJECTION OF EMPLOYERS DEMANDS. United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. Received December 13, 10.35 a.m. London, December 12.— Mr Barnes, secietafy of the Engineers' Society, states that the engineers have toted in the proportion ot 30C to 1 in favor of rejeotion of »,he employers' demands. T"HE SUGAR BOUNTIES QUESTION. PROPOSED ABOLITION OF SUGAR BOUNTIES. United Press Association.— By Elect rip Telegraph, — Copyright. Keceived December 13. 10 a.m. London', December 11. — It is announced that Great Britain will join with the Other powers in A conference regarding the proposed abolition of fugar bounties. Berlin, December 11. - The Govefument will submit a Bill to the Reichstag abolishing the sugar bounties, but the French Government has not yet decided lipun any dctloli.