BUSH FIRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1763, 10 February 1888, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

(P3R PBESS ASSOCIATION.)

I Wellington, Febrrjcry 9 The weather at M»«tarton Is vory dry and windy. Bush fires are r*g na all ■ round. A man came iv this morning from Hast well, a clearing between Mauricevilie and Kkatahuna, and reported six people bnrnt ont. It is Bloce rumored that a fatality has occurred through the fires, MiBT*RTON, February 9 One of the largest and most destructive fires that ever recurred In the bu»h la now raging. Yesterday afternoon and evanlng i the whole of the Hastwell se tlement for a

I dlntt»nca of one and a half mile was a burning mm Trtffio tlli this morning wan entirely suspended. A small number of farm settlers were burned out. From what can bo gathered the following had their holdings oouanmed by the fhmea : — ,Taa. Capper, John Mooroook, John Frtser, Donald Aekew, DjujUs Robinson, and J*s. Oreighton. Oappor aud Moorcock era (naurnd In the London and G obe for £50 and £125 respectively, bnt thia by no meant covers their loas The othen are uninsured and loss everything — m fact are rnlned. With the excaption of Robinson, toe settlers hare large families. Andraon'a blaokrratth s shop, a d Janet and Go's sawmills are m danger. Bush fires are also raging at the back of Oarterton, at Upper Taneru and Fernridge distriot. The acoldent referred to In the prevlou? telegram turns oat to be unconnected wi.h buih fires, and the fatalities repotted ♦re now denied. The accident occurred »n the contract work* at Kkatabnoa and Vlangamahoe railwaw line A man named J'Brien went over an embankment with * horse and truck. He was brooch t to Vfaaterton and taken to the hospital, where he lies atiil insensible. He Is a married man with two children.