THE BUSH FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 120, 13 February 1908, Page 8

THE BUSH FIRES.

THE TAIHAPE OUTBREAKS. SERIOUS POSITION AT RAETIHI. (by telegraph—SPEClAL COIIRESPONDENT.) Taihapc, February 12. Tho high winds have caused a revival of the fires, and the towns in tho Waimarino district, Raetihi, Horopito, Orautolia, Manganuiateao, have all suffered more or less. Many camps ■ havo been swept, and houses have been -threatened. Later wires from Raetihi state that the easterly gale is freshening:' Firos arc surrounding the Roman Catholic priest's residence on the hill above thoCatholic Church, tho dwelling being in gravo danger. "Willing helpers are. removing tho furniture to the church for safety. The smoke and tho intense heat prevent much being done to save the house. Two residences on the Airieku Road are also, seriously threatened. Raetihi, February 12. A strong easterly gale sprang up this morning and increased the danger from fires throughout the district. Settlers on tho

Ameku and Pipiriki Roads are having great difficulty in saving their houses. On the Pipiriki Road several sheds and Mr. Merson's houso have been burnt. '. Tho fires are spreading all round Raetihi township. Residents on the outskirts are removing or burying their goods. Father Millard's, Mrs. Ethorington's, and Mr. Brown's houses were saved after a great fight this morning. The residbnts organised

'a bucket brigade, water being carted from tho Makotuku Stream. A large fire is now burning around the Maori pah on tho east of the town. Soveral roads in the district aro almost impassable through fire and smoke. ' FIRES FRESHENING UP. (from our special correspondent.) Palmerston North, February 12. This afternoon the ranges in. the vicinity of Linton were ono mass of fire, and hundreds of acres of bush were being devastated.

Since the morning fresh outbreaks havo been noticed, and a sirong north-east wind was driving the fires to tho foot of the ranges. Owing to the density of the smoke it is impossible to. see the extent of the damage. Reports from the back country are equally discouraging, as tho strong wind has freshened up the smouldering fires] and settlers are having a most anxious time.

SERIOUS EFFECT ON SAWMILLING INDUSTRY. 1 ' (BT TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dannevirke, February 12. In an interview with a "'Daily Press" reporter, the manager of the.iHawke's Bay Sawmillers' Association stated that tho recent bush fires had practically crippled the sawmilling industry in tho province. The output had fallen from an-average of thrce-and a-quarter million feet to ono and threequarter millions. It was absolutely impossible for the mills in Hawke's Bay to supply the orders on time. Fivo mills had been practically destroyed by fire—Cohr's (Norsewood), Parsons's (Nors'owood), Gamman's (Otanga), Fairburn and Company's (Pohui), and .'Anderson and Sons (Piri > Piri). Other mills suffered great loss in 1 tram-lines and bridges. It. is possible that £10,000 p'ould be a low estimate of loss over ; tho provinco. AT RANGIWAHIA. (from our special correspondent.) Rangiwahia, February 12. The bush fires in this district during the past weok have played havoc with some of tho farms, Messrs. Kerr, Bagge, M'Kean and Murgerson having suffered severely in losses ,of stock, grass, and fencing. Mr. Meads, of-the Valley, lias also, been a heavy sufferer. The fires have been] burning hero for tho past- three weeks, but owing to strong winds they have scattered right and left. Tho losses are at present unknown.- The prolonged drought is unprecedented in this district. - - 1 - -; -' - "Further-losses around nelson. (BT TELEGRAM—ritES 3 ASSOCIATION.) ■ , Nelson,' February ' 12. Owing to tho continued dry weather, bush fires have broken' out. Ono at Pretty Bridge-.Valley, Belgrovo, yesterday afternoon, started 1 at Mr. T. Prico's, and spread with terrific velocity over an area of a couple of miles. The houses of Messrs. T. Price and Son and E. Hoult, and tho stables of Mr...C. Davios were iu dangor all night, and wore saved only by persistent fire-fighting.. ; Mr. Da vies and his family wore nearly suffocated. I They, had to bo removed to Belgrove. At AVakefield,' owing x to a spark from a log' two stacks of winter feed at Mr. P.Baigent's were ruined. • PIAKO FLAX BURNING. ELEVEN SQUARE MILES . SWEPT. (BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) " 1 - Auckland, February 12. ■/News has .reached-, here -that 'the Piako' Swamp, near Miranda, is. on fire, and an r.roa of eleven square miles has boon devastated, tons of green flax being consumed.