THE BUSH FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 18 February 1913, Page 6

THE BUSH FIRES.

','''', OUTLOOK IMPROVED. AN EXCITING INCIDENT. . (By Telegraph.—Press A«ooiatlon.) Glsborne, February 17. The position with regard to the bush fires which, have been raging in back country is considerably relieved, and there is every indication that tho fires have about run in their complete course —that is, provided the calm which prevailed to-day continues. Eakauroa, Matawai, and Motu tho settlers are,far less anxious, and tho latest word from correspondents was that the fires were burning very feebly. . Telephonic communication was reestablished to-day on the through lines, temporary poles, etc.", being utilised, a), though tho settlers' lino at Matawai has not yet been-reinstated. Eakauroa was unpleasant to bo in today on account of ' tha smoke which poisoned the atmosphere. The position as far as Eakauroa is concerned was much belter, and settlers were confident that the fires were about at an end.

Advice from Matawai was similarly optimistic. Druramond's mill was again in danger on more than one occasion during the day, but at night it was fairly safe, although a close watch is still kept. There, have been some v big losses of 6tock, etc., and Mr. Abbotsford-Smith is considered the heaviest lbser> his property, between Matawai and Motu, being badly swept. '■.'■•. Telephone advices from Motu to-night gave; details of an exciting incident. The Opotiki mailman was nine miles from Motu when he encountered the flames, and was suddenly surrounded by a crackling fire on the. Marunioko Eoad. He experienced a • narrow escape, but not without some injury and discomfort. Ho hud sevetal pack-horses with him carrying luggage, but fortunately no mails. One pack-horse, loaded with passengers luggage, was in the midst of a fire, caused by the lighted twigs from a tree, and the luggage was damaged a good deal; and also the pack saddle,: while the horse was badly burned. .Tho mafman succeeded' in getting .through with his horses and doad in a state of collapse. ■ ...-'-

AT RUAROA. ....' ■FOUE MILES OF COUNTEY- SWEPT, r (By Telosraph—Press AeeootaUon.) '■'''';■'" Dannevirke, Februaryl7. ■ of tho losses by busk fires_are now available," and show, that the settlers at Euaroa' were particularly heavy sufferers. Over Mr miles of country were swept in this district, and the wonder is, that any houses are left standing at all; Following are tho losses at Euaroa,' not taking stook into accountsFrancis Gratwick Yarrell, four-roomed house, insured for', £75 in. the Norwich Union. ■•'•'. . ■'".-.• ■ • .-•■-,' Arthur Maxwell-Yarrell, foiir-roomed cottage, whare, trapshed, insured for £195 in.the: State.. . i - ' ■ , Stanley Bert Fairbrother, five-roomed house, furniture, personal effects, cowbail, insured for.ii-10 in the Norwich. . Eichard Henry Fairbrother, three--roomed cottage, £100 on the cottage and contents,-in the State. .. ' George Waller, three-roomed cottage, -.£75 in the Norwich. : :. ; •;'■ . .. . . •Donghi Bros;, cow and trapshed, estimated los3'd6llo, covered in the Norwich. John Sullivan, stable and' contents, insured for £60 in the Norwich.. ~.•: _ - Morris, cowshed, insured for £50 in the Norwich. - .' ' , ~ ■ ' At Upper Piripiri tho.settleTS had a bad time,' the following losses occurring there:— '■'• .' ■■'-~ -,■ ■■ , ' ..G. and A. Wright; calfrShed and separator, ■ also houso damaged, covered 'in, the State Office. , i e ■ "■ i J. Aylward, houso and furniture, £45 on tho house" in the: State, and an additional £60 on tho house, with the Nor,wic>;' £lll).,on' .the, furniture, and, £98 .on other ibuildings v ! -;-. , Inder and Fortune, house and furniture, and; outbuildings" and; haystack; also 20 headof cattle. ;. ■■ • , Every' settler in addition has lost feed, (So the position is very serious, most of them being small struggling farmers.