Dunedin, February 9. The Directors' report of the Westport Coal Company states that after deducting all costs and charges, there is a balance to oradifc of £9936, from which it is proposed to pay a dividend of 2J per cent, absorbing £5197, and to carry forward a balance of £3488. During the year the Adelaide Office has been closed, anfl the register transferred to Melbourne. A heavy flonth-west gale has been blowing all ths afternoon. A number of houses have been unroofed and feuces damaged, but nothing serious so far. Masteeton, February 9. One of the largest and most destructive fires that has occurred in the bush, was racing: yesterday afternoon and evening- The whole of Hastwell's settlement for a distance of one and a half miles was burn ing, and the mass of train* till this morning was entirely suspended. A small number of farm sett'ers were burnt out, and from what can be gathered, the following had their holdings consumed by the flames : James Capper, John. Moorcock, John Fraser, Donald Askew, Douglas JRobinson, and James Crighton. Capper and Moorcock ate insured in the London and Globe for £60 and £125 respectively, but this by no means covers their loss. The others are uninsured and lose everything, in fact are ruined! With the exception of Robinson the settlers have large families. Anderson's black smith's shop, and Jsf.net. and Go's sawmills are in great dagger. Bush fires are. also raging at the back of Carterton, at Upper Taieru and Fernbridg* district. Auckland, February. Sir G- Grey has written to the Mayor in timating- that on account of continued illness he will be unable to preside at the opening of the Art gallery. The yacht Stormbird which left Port Albert on the 20th inst for Wairoa. with Mr N. McCorney, the owner, a Mrs Cameron and a boat hand on board, has not since been neard of, and it is feared that a casualty has taken, place. WELtiNOTON, February 9. Eegulation No. 