MILES OF COUNTRY IN FLAMES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1676, 17 February 1913, Page 8

MILES OF COUNTRY IN FLAMES.

| IN POVERTY BAY. | THE HINTERLAND A FUfINACE. I (By IWegraph.—Press Association.) | Gisborne, February 16. Renorts from tho back-l>lncks go to show that practically the whole of tho hinterland of Poverty Bay is ablaze, or threatened with fire. In addition to an area of about 15 square miles, which is burning round Matawai, tho firo extends to tho north and west, far beyond Motou, while tho back country round Tokonmru Bay is also seriously affected. Telephonic and telegraphic communication beyond Matawai is impossible, as the wires are down, but the Motu correspondent of tho Gisborne "Times," writing on Saturday morning, stated that, on Thursday evening, tho bush fires which had been raging in adjacent areas, favoured by a strong wind, came right down in the river bank, and, at 10.30 on Friday morning, Quirk's sawmill, Mrs. C. Hansen's, and Misses Tyerman s, Elliott's, IT. p. Thomson's, and .Tohnston's residences were all in serious danger. The timber at tho mill caught several times during the night, but the flames were quiclcly extinguished by willing workers. l On Friday morning fires were raging all round the mill, when a heavy 6hower of rain fortunately put a check on the flames. By Friday night the danger was considered as practically over, and the mnny worn men who had been engaged in the fight to protect property woro enabled to obtain some sleep. - At Tokomaru Bay serious losses are reported. Messrs.. Gray Bros,' homestead, woolshed, and all' other buildings were destroyed, while a lot of 6tock perished and miles of fencing was burned up. Mr. R. Kemp also lost much stock and fencing, and Messrs. Saiby and Cotterill their fencing. Although at present the fires show no signs of abating in this district, there is no anticipation of further serious damags.

At Matawal, which is the heart of a raging furnace, tho fires were still burning fiercely this morning, and the settlers aro exhausted. It will be impossible to secure reliable reports from this district' until to-night. ,

Rosses in stocl. Gisborne, February 15. Matawai reports that tbo bush fires burned steadily through the night, and the. situation is still dangerous. The oountryside has been devastated, despite the. good fight by the settlers, day and night. Many are exhausted. Messrs. William and John Clark's homesteads were surrounded by fire, and sheep were roasted in heaps within sight of the helpless owners. Mr. Smith lost 1200 and Mr. John Clark 1100. Other settlers' losses cannot be ascertained till the.fire clears. At the'timber.mills the hands have been fighting the fires .with bucket brigades and hose from the boiler's for'twenty-four hours. So far they lire kept the fire at bay, but large stacks' of building timber have been lost.

DTHERFIB.ES. , * " Bfenheim,February 15. Bush fires are burning in various parts of the Wakaniarina district, and practically the whole valley, is enveloped in flames and smoke. It'is feared that the houses of Messrs. Thompson; Bourke, and .Easmussen will be destroyed, and Messrs. Nelson's and Mayo's houses aro in imminent peril. At Golden Bar the situation is serious. Fisk's boar'dinghouse and 20 whares belonging to the battery employees aro, threatened. Mr. and Mrs. . Cowling, tfhon returning from Golden Bar. by the Wakaniarina Road, were compelled'to gallop their horses for half a mile through the heat and dense smoke. A denso firo is also burning in tho Rai Valley, and the mail coach from BlenheM to Nelson only got through in time.