THE BUSH FIRES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16167, 22 March 1918, Page 7

THE BUSH FIRES.

SOME MIRACULOUS ESCAPES. STORIES OF HEROISM. (SPECIAL 10 "THE niESS.") WANOAXUI, March 21. Tho story of the fight at liactihi discloses the fact that the men who, a few day.-, before, were strung, ablebodied fellows, now look worn and haggard. Their light to save the business part of Raeti'ii had told, and it was a talc of great self-sacrifice. When tho wind readied cyclonic force, roofs of houses were torn oif bodily, and hurled hundreds of feet away; tanks were lifted off their stands, and sent on a mad career in all directions. One IOUU-gailon tank was lifted bodily, and carried over a 7ft fence 20>> yards away. -Men, women, and children groped their way.s tnrougli the town, au ay Irom the burning aieas. The flames played all manner or tracks. At one time they would leap yards away, set ahgnt to a house nr a sheu, nnish their work, leave tho house alongside alone, and dasJi to a house some distance* away. As au instance of the peculiar track tho lire took, it is recorded that in dozens of cases one house or shop would bo loft stnnding, and all around it would be burned to ashes. Strange indeed wero some of the places in which people took shelter. On account of tho new water and drainage scheme which had been lately introduced into Raetihi, several culverts have been constructed. These proved havens of safety .for scores ol women and children who would otherwise have suffered more severely. Many and weird wero the sights of mothers, with babies, crouched down low, and standing in about two feet of water. Dozens of people made for the river, and in the bitter snow-fed water awaited their fate.

Some of the stories told about Mie places of refuge could bo regarded as humorous if one could forget the tragedy. __ On one occasion a mother was standing in the creek bed, almost distracted because her little baby could not be found. Suddenly from out of tho wilderness a plaintive cry was heard, and the mother at once recognised it as that of her child. After a series of signals in the darkness a man who was carrying tho child made his way across and placed it in the arms of tho overjoyed mother. On another occasion a father took up his baby from a burning house and made for a culvert. Ho got separated from his wife. While he was entering the culvert he slipped, and fell backwards into three feet of water, but he had the presence of mind to keep the baby extended above him at arms' length. Who should come : nto the culvert at this time but the mother, and she rescued both of them.

There were some miraculous escapes from injury and death. The night was so dark and tho wind bo tremendously strong £hat it was almost impossible for women and children to struggle against it. On many occasion* the smoke blinded tho well-nigh distracted townsfolk, and many people had to lie flat on the road to escape being suffocated by the heat. Horses and cattle became frantic.

The men took groat risks in their endeavour to save property, and practically everyone of them bore signs of having suffered burns and other injuries. The magnificent spirit of unselfishness and willingness to help others before, themselves characterised the work of thoso individuals who stayed behind and endeavoured to save property. In this respect it is agreed that Mr McKenzie, manager, of the Bank of New Zealand at Kaetihi, did yeoman service, and several peoplo consider that it was mainly due to his great work that the bank and onosido of Seddon street at least wore saved from destruction. Very little definite news is obtainable yet from up the river districts, but it is known that thousands upon thousands of pounds' worth of damage has been done. F. Mitchin, tho All Black footballer, had a fearful time. Ho was caught on the Pipiriki road, in the midst of a burning inferno, and had to take terrible risk's. He fought his way through the flames, reached the Mangaituroa rivor, into which he plunged and swami for a considerable distance with a roaring, fiery furnace on each side of him. On occasions the flames met overhead, and formed an arch. Leaving the river ho took to the bush at a favourable opportunity, but tho fire running low chased him into the tree tops. Here he roosted whilo the inferno raged underneath him. Climbing from tree to tree, ho at last managed to get clear, qjid came on to Raetihi.

Four bush contractors decided to remain where they were, as in their opinion the fire was going away from them. Within a few minutes a terrific roar was heard behind them, and a huge sheet of firo was observed sweeping down the hillside some distance away. Then commenced the fight of their lives. They were surrounded, and it looked hopeless. In a moment, just as tho flamos reached them, the wind changed, and off the firo scampered in a totally different direction, and left their path to safety clear. It is impossible to give particulars covering the loss of stock, but it is almost certain that the total will run into six figures. Hundreds and hundreds of dead sheep, cattle, and horses are to be seen in evory direction.

There are some pitiful tales of distress, and people outsido of the district cannot nossiblv realise the awful ness of the tragedy which the Waimarino presents to-day. One thrilling incident stands out by itself. It is the story of how three men and a hoy fought flames for five hours with twelve lives at stake. Tho scene was the Makotuku school., which 6tands on. half an acre of clear ground. When the teacher's residence near by was engulfed in tho fire, the teacher (Mr p. McCann) and his wife and child, made for the school building, where they were joined by Mr Curtis (a mill employee) his wife and son. a sturdy boy of about 1(5 years. The others of the party were Mr* Rix (another mill employee), and his seven young children. The women and children were put inside the schoolhouse, and the three men and the boy with buckets, and the school tank for a water supply, commenced to fight against terrible odds. Sheltering behind the building, the four fought against a .wall of flame. Three times, the building became ignited, but each time, by desperate efforts, the little party just won. It was not until the battle had gone 011 for five hours that the danger was over.

THREE BODIES FOUXD. (rp.SSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. March 21. Tho police have received information that the bodies of J. Akerston, of Mangaituroa, and his wife and child have been discovered by a search party from Raetihi. Information has beeu received here that Gibson and his wife and family, and F. Mitchinsou. the well-known footbailer, all of the Raetihi district, arc TAIHAPE. March 21. There are persistent rumours that scveial people are missing in the t-'re zone. At noon, Raetihi reports: All danger is past. Search parties, in' char«*e = of the police, are out looking for Those who are believed to be missing. Sixtytwo buildings hare been comDletelv destroyed in the town.

RELIEF MEASURES.

Mr H. Holland. Mayor of Christchurch, telegraphed to the Mayor 1 ° Ohakunp conveving the sincere sympathy- of the citizens of C'hristchurch with the sufferers frpni the recent destructive bush fires, and asking if Christchurch can render assistance m «nj way. The Mavor of Christchurch vesterdav received die following telegr>iin from -Al r Mackay (Mayor of W anganui): "Meeting here last night opened uelief Fund. The executive, consisting of Mr Bignell and myself, leaves Tcr Ohakunp and Raetihi to-day. and '\i'; be at Ohakune to-night and Raetilu to-morrow. If we can do anything in the direction of joint action, or m assisting your endeavours, we will '.e pleased t-o do so. Suggest appointment of joint administration on uie spot, pending Government action.