One of the most disastrous fires that have occurred for some time past: took place on 2ist March in Sydney. The scene of the fire was Hentzch's Bond situated in one of the most closely packed corners of Old Sydney. soon as the fire superintendent was advised of the scene of the outbreak, he ordered out the whole available plant stationed within the metropolitan area; and within a short time of the call being received, thirteen seamers were ay work pouring streams of water into the burning pile of building, The bond was of six floors with " carrying capacity of 18,000 tons, about two-thirds of which space wax engaged. A large and varied assortment of merchan-die was stored, including quantities of paints, oils and varnishes, with other inflammable materials. From the outside the firemen recognised that there was little or no hope of saving the bond, never: theless they continued to pour in streants of water. About two hours after the outbreak one of the walls collapsed outwards, burying beneath it two adjacent cottages, from which of course the occupants had previously removed everything of value. Towards midnight the remaining walls collapsed, fortunately without injury to any of the brigade. With the collapse or the walls the fire was practically got under control. The estimated value of the building was £ but insurances on the stock are not available. The bond was situated within the area recently resumed ut for harbour improvenient purposes, so the loss, if any, will be incurred by t ie. Later advices state that the building was insured for £12,000, whilst the policies held on the contents total up to over £100,000.
The Distiaguished Citizen Craze.
Years ago enterprising gentlemen of the American book-canvassing fraternity, made handsome incomes by writing up Australian country centres, and painting the resources of the various districts with a most lavish hand. Prominent citizens and landholders were interviewed, and for a consideration usually paid down in hard cash, their careers were worked into the book. Of late years the demand for this kind of advertisement has seriously fallen off, but the latest idea is in the form of the historical picture. Should you desire to have your name handed down to posterity, as being of importance in your generation, it is necessary to have your portrait included amongst the crowd assisting at a national celebration. Con-vassers for reproductions of, say, the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament are not at all put out when the canvassed remarks it it is of no interest to him as ho was not included. Give the order and we will include you in the picture is a bait that is often accepted, and the proud possessor of the copy can point: to hi self as having been a prominent figure in the making of his country's history, whilst in reality he merely figured as a unit of the uninvited.
¥rain Trade.
Shipments of wheat from Pacific coast. ports of the are com: mencing to arrive, several vessels with fall cargoes' having reached their destinations at the three principal ports in the Commonwealth. The Argentine is, however, fissuring in the competition, no less than 30 sailers and steamers being advised as on the berth in the River Plata, loading wheat and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.