BREVITIES.
Miners' Union demonstration today.
Fine weather for the fifth anniversary.
Mr Jemes McAndrew landed at J^aeroa on WedDeaday, per Clematis, 10,000 feet of kauri from Sbortlaod.
Messrs Short and Co.'s Karangahake roach is being largely patronised.
FIRE AT THE GAS WORKS.
At about 9.30 o'clock last night a fire broke out in an iron building in the Gas Company's yard about 30 yards distant from t.ho main works. The alarm was promptly given, and the Shortland and Grahamstown branches of the Fire Brigade, under Superintendent V> est, quickly appeared on the scene, and were soon successful in mastering the flames, which were, of course, confined to the rafters etc., the only woodwork in the structure, TLe damage to thebuilding, which was used as a lumber room and meter store, is roughly estimated at about £40. The meters were mostly unharmed, and taking it al together the damage is a good deal less than what was at first anticipated. It is believed that thei*e was some in surance on the building, but the amount is so far unknown. We un derstand that the alarm was given by a person who saw the flames in pass ing along the Beach road. The j origin of the fire is a mystery.
A further examination leaves hardly a doubt that the fire, which was con fined to the inside, originated in a barrel standing at the south end of the building. This barrel was filled with lead piping and stuffed *ith straw, which evidently became ignited —probably by spontaneous combus tion.
BROTHER JONATHAN.
