DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TIMARU.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 425, 10 December 1868, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TIMARU.

GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY. THIRTY HOUSES BURNT. PUBLIC OFFICES, BANKS, AND HOTELS DESTROYED. STRANDING- oe the SCHOONER ANN. ANOTHER BATTLE NEAR POVERTY BAY. WANGANUI IS AGAIN THREATENED. (BY ELECTRIC! TELEGRAPH.) (from. OUR OWN correspondent.) Christchurch, Wednesday. A most destructive fire occurred at Timaru on Monday afternoon.

The fire was first discovered at three m the premises of Messrs Cain and Munro, which are situated towards the north end of the town, and in close proximity to the best businesshouses in the place.

From the corner at which these premises are situated, the fire spread with great rapidity in different directions, and continued to hum until after six o'clock in the evening.

In that time it destroyed the greater part of the business centre of the town. From Cain and Munro's general store it first extended to a large building on the south side, occupied as a furniture warehouse by Mr Munro, jun., and it consuined'also the buildings occupied by the following tradesmen :

Knight, painter; Wood, saddler; Solomon, draper; Seymour, watchmaker ; Jacobs, watchmaker; Erskiue, grocer; Watkins, chemist; Clarkson and Turubull, store-keepers • Baldy, hairdresser; Cutler, chemist; Stubbs and King's two butcher's shops • Mountfort and Pognoisky, photographers; Morgan, baker Melton's stables and residence; and Eraser, butcher.

The fire also destroyed the Club Hotel, the Tost-office, Telegraph-office, and the publishing and printing offices of the Timaru Herald.

It is difficult as yet to estimate the value of the property destroyed, but a more serious calamity could scarcely have befallen a town of the size of Timaru.

In consequence of the rapidity with which the fire extended, very little property of any sort was saved.

So far as has yet been ascertained, no lives were lost.

Greymouth, Wednesday. The schooner Ann, bound from Charleston for G-reymouth, has been driven ashore near Point Elizabeth. It is understood that she has not as yet received any damage, and it is probable that she will be got off.

Wellington, Wednesday, 10 p.m. Mr Bruce, a passenger by the Rakaia, for America, and late of the Customs, Melbourne, was arrested here to-day, charged with embezzlement. Humors that yesterday's Panama steamer will be the last, are believed.

A Government telegram from Napier reports another hattle at Poverty Bay, in which 60 Hau-haus were killed.

The loss on our side was 10 killed and 20 wounded.

The Friend lies want to go home. From Wanganui, the news is received that Voodall's redoubt has been abandoned.

Titoko Waru has warned the people of Wanganui to clear out, as he would attack the town in three days. A meeting of the Magistrates has been held, and a plan of defence adopted.