TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 246, 24 March 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Press Telegraph Agency .) Wellington, March 23,

The charter for a second Masonic Lodge in this city, under the English constitution, was received by last mail from home. The formation of the new lodge is mainly promoted by members of the civil service, and Mr J, D. Butts is W.M. designate. The charter ia eignod by the Prince of Wales, as Grand Master of England.

DISASTROUS FIRE AT INVERCARGILL Invercargill, March 23.

A disastrous fire broke out in the Albion Hotel about a quarter to four this morning, supposed to have originated in one of the front parlors. In a few minutes the north end of the building was in a blaze, and being an t imraense wooden structure, no hopes were entertained of saving any portion. The efforts of the fire brigade were directed to protecting Rose’s brick buildings adjoining, and these were fortunately attended with success. The hotel and stables were totally destroyed, together with two small shops occupied by Wittimer, tobacconist, and Aldridge, tailor. The fire spread to a large brick building, occupied by Lewis, Reed and Company, drapers, and the National Bank, and notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to save it, the building was totally destroyed, two smaller buildings in Esk street were likewise burnt down, and one occupied by Hatch, chemist; the latter moved out his stock, but is a heavy loser. Lewis, Reed and Co, got out a considerable amount of stock, and the Bank books were saved. The furniture of the Albion was almost totally destroyed. The following are the insurances so far as ascertained on the Albion —New Zealand, £SOO ; South British, £500; Norwich, £6OO ; Australian Alliance, £450 ; National, £750; Victoria, £1000; Standard, £250. Lewis, Reed and Co—Trans-Atlantic. £2OOO, Brick buildings—Royal, £1000; Liverpool, London and Globe, £IOOO. Hatch’s store—’New Zealand, £IOO. Dean, £IOO.

THIS DA T'S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, March 24,

It was resolved by the Harbor Board to invite tenders for the balance of Dock Loan at 6 per cent. The National Bank announces that the system of local directors in each place will be discontinued.

Wellington, March 24,

It is understood that his Honor Mr Justice Johnston proceeds to Christchurch on Wednesday. Twelve owners and masters of coasting vessels have written to the Timex, calling the attention of the harbor authorities tojthe urgent necessity for providing new, or increasing, the present wharf accommodation by the erection of a lauding stage along the reclaimed land.

[from our Auckland correspondent.] Auckland, March 23.

A boiler at Lamb’s firewood yard to-day exploded, and was thrown a distance of two hundred yards without hurting anyone'. The boiler, weighing Si- cwt was driven right through the roof of Frazer’s stables, and through the weatherboards at the side of Hayward’s premises at a height of about fifteen feet, making a broad track. Stout weatherboards were broken to splinters like chips. In Hayward’s house, which fronts on Upper Queen street, and on the side next the street a similar opening was made. In fact the whole boiler, like a gigantic projectile from Mammoth a Canon was driven through two buildings. From Hayward’s, it passed right over Upper Queen street over the [fencing at the embankment near this spot, and was brought to sudden standstill by a stout blue gum tree to within a few feet of a small cottage in the gully occupied by a family named Myers. The shock here was so great as to smash one-of the windows in the cottage, yet the boiler remained uninjured. Mrs Hayward was in the room through which the boiler passed within a yard of her. She sustained a severe nervous shock but no personal injury. The explosion is supposed to have been caused by the generation of too much action. Nobody was attending to it at the time. Favorable reports have been received today from Ohinemuri. The prospectors have taken out blocks of golden stone.