THE BUSH FIRES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 8

THE BUSH FIRES.

ESTIMATE OF RAETIHI LOSSES. (press association telegram.) TAIHAPE, March 22. A thoroughly reliable Ractihi appraiser estimates tho lire losses in the town to be not less than £250,C0i). The destruction of nine Main Trunk sawmills means a shortage of 900.00*) feet of timber per month, and that 300 men will be out of employment and their families homeless. Mr Symcs lost stacked timber to the value of £S(?0. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie had several conferences with Raotihi people, who express a unanimous preference for a long-Jated loan on easy terms, rather than any form of charity. HON. I). LI. GUTHRIE'S REPORT. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON. March 22. Cabinet lias decided to provide financial assistance to sufferers >y tho recent hush fires, fjr the purpese of rebuilding, re-jirassing, and re-stocking, where such assistance is icquired. Responsible mon will be sent to tho district without delay to go into the whole matter and make recommendations to the Government. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, repnrting t.:> the Prime Minister, says that oS houses were burnt in Kaetihi. He thinks that the full privilege.- cf the Workers' Dwellings Act should be extended to the late occupiers, and extra financial assistance granted if necessary. Nirte sawmills were burned and milling bush lias br<on seriously damaged, but not to an alaiming extent; The damage to farms is extensive and very serious, and there is every indication that the losses of stock are heavy. Mr Guthrie advises that cocksfoot and clover scotl should bo procured at once. It is understood that the merchants have already seriously advanced the prices of these s-eeds. The dairy fa*ton- has boon and must bo rebuilt. Mr Guthrie suggests <hat a premise should be mado that Government monev will be advanced to cover the cost of the reerection of the factory. Several bridges liavo bsen burnt down, and their re-erection will require to be dealt with with as little delay as possible. 1

RELIEF MEASURES. (PIIKSS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) NEW PLYMOUTH, March 22. A public meeting of citizcns to-dav. called by tho Mayor, passed a resolution of sympathy with tho Waimarino set- !• c S i :ln( ' ' l Avas resolved to open n relief fund. Subscriptions totalling £300 have already been promised. ANGANCT, March 22. A public meeting to-night decided to •bold a street and house-to-house collection on Wc<lnesday next, in aid of the Waimarino sufferers. All tho war organisations and kindred associations aro taking the matter with enthusiasm. PALMERSTON .NORTH, March 22. A meeting held hore to-day set up a strong executive for the relief of the sufferers of tho bush fire 6. A sum of £.360 was subscribed in tho room. Including tho newspaper funds, a total of £461 7s has been raised in two days. In roply to a message forwarded yesterday, tho Mayor of Ghakuno "(Mr Barry) has telegraphed Mr Holland (Mayor of Christehurch) as follows: — "Deeply grateful fo r sympathy. Other centres have opened lists for alleviation of distress and repatriation. Loss and damage -will be very- considerable.' Will ho glad to acc?pt. anv assistance." _ Commissioner Hodder, of tho Salvation Army, has sent a party of army officers to tho sceno of tho itaetihi disaster. These officers are to do reliof work and distribute relief to the sufferers and any who «ro in need. Special offerings arc being taken up at tho various corps round Christchurch and throughout tho Dominion on behalf of the sufferers.