the interstices of the wall, and it is deemed just possible that the latter will have to be removed or re-built. Meantime the fire, uncontrolled, pursued its destructive career, and in the course of an hour or so had burned both buildings to the ground. The wall of Mr Kettle's store on the lower side was not so much damaged as that of Sutton Brothers' store. The flames, however, burst through a side window, and their further spread was fortunately stayed, by a quantity of potatoes in sacks that were piled up inside against the window. The flames, however, overlapped the store and licked the eaves and corner of a large wooden building at the back, occupied by Mr Bott, cabinet maker, the upper &tory being his private residence, whilst the front lower floor was sub-divided into two apartments — one the shop of Messrs Thomson and Yinpon, painters ; the other the Daily_ Times and Witness branch, office. This building- was once in very grave peril, for the gable end nearest the fire began to steam and shrivel under the action of the heat. But Messrs. Hudson and Bott, and two or three pairs of other willing- hands, fought a good fight to preserve it, and by the aid of wet blankets kept the fire back. It was well they succeeded ; for, had the fire gained ground in that direction, that side of George street to the corner of Grey street would have been, doomed. A source of imminent danger being in a number of cases of kerosene that were packed up at the back of Mr Kettle's store. It was recognised by Mr Hudson, who, with one or two others, worked hard to save them, a?id succeeded by facing and so screen ing the pile of cases with sheets of galvanised iron. Not only is Port Chalmers deficient in a fire brigade, but absolutely it has no fire-bell, and thus the alarm had to be spread by word, of mouth. No wonder then that the greater number of the inhabitants remained in blissful ignorance of the danger that menaced them, until they were informed oi the fact hours after all was over. Hence the attractive influence of the fire was partially neu tralised, and the conflagration was consequently witnessed by comparatively few. 