DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 25, 27 October 1898, Page 18

DUNEDIN.

An account of the opening of the Nantieal Festival appears elsewhere in this issue. Father Coffey requests holders of blocks to forward them to him with remittances j& early as possible as the art union drawing takes place on the lasj; day of the festival.

The Otago Institute is longing to possess the Te Anau Notornis. Dr. Young, of Invepcargiil, made the Institute a glittering offer to sell them the bird for £200. After a lengthy discussion the Institute resolved to thank Dr. Young for Jus munificent liberality, but that, though the members were feverishly anxioue to OWB.,ft Notornix, they did not, feel justified in spending so much jpfcmey on one bird. One member suggested that, as the one now on the market was a young female bird, it was reasonable to suppose that there jrera more specimens to be had — in which case the market w^ould be easier !

A*out 2 o'clock on Thursday morning: a fire broke out at the Crawford street end of the premises of M#sare Reid and Gray. A streng wind was blowing at the time, which quickly spread the flames to other parts of the building, with the result that the Jarge three-storey building, forming part of the establishment, was completely destroyed. The loss to Messrs Reid and Gray must be heavy. Apart from the actual loss by temporary suspension of business, it is estimated that the damage done amounts to about £10,000, The scene of the fire presents a wrecked appearance. Nothing is loft standing except the walls, the space in between being piled up with reapers and binders, wood-cutting and boring i

machinery, bicycles, and other machines and implements fused and twisted out of all .recognition. In addition to this wreck there are several tons of binder twine and canvas utterly unfit for future use. Business is proceeding as usual.