OTAGO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2978, 9 April 1870, Page 5

OTAGO.

, «. A movement is on foot to form a Joint Stock Company to erect a brick Theatre in the Octagon. A suitable piece of land is available, and we believe a prospectus will bo issued in a few days. The number of persons who applied during the last month to be registered as electors for the subjoined electoral districts was as follows : — Dunedin, 233 ; Ro3lyn, including partß of Green Island, Waikari, and North Harbor, 93 ; Caversham, including the Peninsula and part of Green Island, 92; total, 418. An accident happened on Saturday at the Old Post Office, to Robert Dewe, a carpenter engaged iv the work of demolishing that building. It seems that he, with three others, were knocking away a wall on which the roof still remained, but, as it was supported by another wall, as well as a gable end, they did not entertain any fear of its falling. Whilo engaged in the work, however, the wall on the other side slipped out, and the roof eaine down with a crash. The men, seeing the danger, endeavored to get clear, and all succeeded in doing so, with the exception of Dewe. who fell on his face in the attempt, the roof coming down on his back before he was able to rise. When extricated, he complained of his back being injured, and was taken to his house in, a cab. The roof at its highest point was about 15 feet from the floor. The total number of births registered in Dunedin during the month of March was 84, and of deaths 36, the excess of births over deaths thus being 45, or at the rate of 107-69 per cent. The number of marriages registered during the flame period was 22. A fire broke out about nine o'clock on Saturday night in a small wooden house situated in a right-of-way off Princes street. • When the alarm was raised, those who were on 'the spot immediately commenced to throw some water on the fire, which was obtained from the barrels of the adjoining houses. The Fire Brigade arrived shortly afterwards, and the flames were put out in less than ten minutes. Some confusion prevailed at first on account of the narrowness of the passage by which access could be gained to the burning building. The latter was used by Mr Hudson as a storeroom, and at the time of the fire contained a quantity of firewood, flour to the value of £100, and passover cakes made for exportation to the Noith, valued at another £100. The flour and passover cukes were altogether destroyed, and will prove a total losb to Mr Hudson, who was not insured. .