FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5165, 21 November 1884, Page 3

FIRE.

A LIVELY EDUCATIONAL MEETING. PEDESTRIAN CONTEST. DUNEDIN, Nov. 20. A fire broke out in an uutenanted building in Albany street to-day, supposed to be caused through children igniting some straw. Tlie dwellinghouse and stable of Mr Hugh Reid, adjoining, were burned, and a dwellinghouse occupied by Mrs Keith was half gutted. The buildings all belonged to Messrs Gourley and Jenkins, but it iB not known whether they were insured. Mrs Keith was uninsured. Mr Charles, Callis, of Dunedin, has been appointed Secretary to the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, and leaves for that city shortly. The A. and P. Association have asked the Governor to perform the ceremony of opening the new ground on the second day of the show. A good deal of lively discussion took place at the Education Board to-day, several members referring to the statement made by Mr J. M'Kenzie, M.H.R., a member of the Board, in the Houso, as to the Board's affairs being manipulated by a ring which "sat on" School Committees. Mr M'Kenzie refused to withdraw a single word he had said. The discussion wound up by the Chairman, Professor Shand, remarking that they did not expect accurate statements knowing the quarter whence they came, to which Mr M'Kenzie replied : " I am very much obliged to you, sir, for the insult you have offered me as a member of this Board ; but notwithstanding all your insults, I shall continue to do my duty." Mr Begg withdrew his notice of motion to prevent School Committees appointing teachers as Clerks, a number of Committees having forwarded protests against it. A forty-eight hours' pedestrian contest has been arranged to take place at the time of the Autumn Races, and Swan, of Sydney, and Raynor, of Melbourne, have signified their intention to compete. Both men also challenge Scott to walk, and on Scott's behalf Mr A. Austin has sent a reply, offering to match him to walk any man in the Australian Colonies twentyfour hours, for JIJ2OO.