DISASTROUS FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1477, 21 November 1872, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE.

Auckland, Nov. 20. The fire originated afc Scherff's store in Fort street. It is believed that it arose amongst the flax bales. The man was in the store at 8 o'clock with a light, bufc he says that when he locked up all was safe. The fire spread rapidly to the stores adjoining, and soon the whole block, including fivo stores, were destroyed. The wind blew the sparks across the street on to the Custom House and Telegraph Offices. Well-directed efforts afc this time could have saved fche buildings, bufc all was confusion, the rival fire brigades squabbling. The fire spread along fche inside of the roof, and soon took a firm hold of the block of buildinga from Fort to Shortland streets. The Custom-house, Telegraph office, Post-office, and Provincial Government offices were completely destroyed. The telegraph instruments and Customs and Savings' Bank records, provincial mapß and plans were mostly saved. The fire was confined to the buildings mentioned, al« though ifc threatened many others from which the goods were removed. The Government Buildings were uninsured. Bucholz, of the Norwich Union loses £2700 Royal £3000, Scottish Commercial £2000. Thero were other minor losses; The Govern* ment offices have been removed to various buildings, and work was commenced as usual this morning. A later telegram states that all the provin* cialrecords,from the foundation of the province leases and bonds were destroyed. ■ Burned paper was scattered in showers a mile and a half from the burning buildings. Additional insurance loss— Victoria Company £2500, Northern £2500; the South British estimate their total loss at £1100. General indignation is expressed at fche oulpable neglect which permitted the Government Buildings to catch fire ; also, at the absence of a strong room to store documents. The damage is estimated at £60,000. Wellington, Nor. 20. The Independent says that in all probability Mr Yogel will attend the postal conference, which meets at Sydnoy on December 7. Mr Seed, Secretary of Customs, has gone to Auckland by the Phoebe, with forms, books, and material to replace those destroyed by tho fire. Tho Governor has received official intimation of hiß appointment to Victoria. He will probably nofc leave the colony bofore March. He will visit Canterbury and Otago next month. He leaves for Manawatu to-day to visit Mr Fox. Exhibits for the Vienna Exhibition will be received till April 1873. The Independent hopes as there is still time, representative exhibits will be forwarded, besides a catalogue of specimens from those selected by Dr Hector. Special instructions havo been forwarded to tho Agent-General to accelerate immigration matters, to give Bpecial attention to Ireland, and to placo the Scotch agencies upon their original footing. Tho Warwickshire sailed for Auckland on fche 4th inst. with 150 immigrants. The Forfarshire was to sail for Wellington on the 12th with 400. The New Zealand Steam ' Navigation Company offer to carry exhibits to the Canterbury Exhibition without charge. - Reefton, Nov. 20. A fire broke out this afternoon in tho Telegraph Office, and the operator removed the instruments. The fire wa? got under, and the ofllco was not much damaged. Some fencing was destroyed. Dunedin, Nov, 20. A strong shock of earthquake tyj\s felt afc 12.20 p.m. 5 ifc lasted three sccQUds, and the direction was S.W. The City Councillors havo forwarded a round robin to tbo Superintendent asking him to convene the Council on tho following grounds; — 'The new land Act requires to be brought into operation, and appointments to be mado under it ; that the Council is unacquainted with the views of the new Government ; the question of provision to be made for land on deferred payments ; the Highway Boards Empowering Act requires to be brought into operation ; the amounts of subsidies to fche Road Boards to bo detormined ; and because it was understood that tho session would be held immediately after the Assembly. Tho Nebraska fired a salute and dressed ship in honour of Grant's re-election. The Naval Brigade returned the salute with nineteen guns. " y The Otago Institute, lasfc night, elected Admiral Sfcokcs, over Buckland, an honorary member. A woollen factory has ; been started afc Queenstown by Mr Robertson. ■'£&?'. Inyebcaeoill, Nov. 20. .In the Supreme Court, a verdict of manslaughter was found agahißt Morrison. Mrs Whiting, for drowning her three children,

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-"'vriaa: sentenced, to death.. The facta ''.were * established. The defence was insanity.