FIERCE BUSH FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1710, 29 March 1913, Page 6

FIERCE BUSH FIRES.

GISBORNE DISTRICT AGAIN. r '. •' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Gisborne, March 28. Bush fires have revived in several parts of the district, and, with the strong westerly wind 'blowing to-day, were making much' headway about. To Karaka. This afternoon the air was heivily charged with smoke. One huge fire appeared to bo in the. direction of Run 47, beyond Otoko, where there "aro 15,000 acres of standing bush, which, it is feared,_ may have become endangered.' The fire. had been burning . since . yesterday morning, and to-day assumed very large dimensions. . j. . Other fires/ were seen in. the direction of Manmtu.' At Matawai and Raukauroa the settlers are'again fighting - hard to. save tlieir homes and stock from destruction, but reports to-night indicate that the smoke is too thick to enable much to be done. x A Gisborne "Times" correspondent at Rakauroa, telephoning to-niglit, says:— "Tho township is full of smoke, and tho residents round about are just about driven out of their homes. There was, however, a strong promise of rain; which would, 1 of course, save the situation. The fires are burning all round, and Graham's place has - been threatened all day, and, despite the. efforts of tho fire fighters, the wool shed and -outhouses are almost certain to be burned, though the house may be saved;". . "There .is a big crowd at M'Lauchlan's," proceeds the correspondent, "but tho smoke has got them bpa't. However, the woolshed has been saved so far, and is practically out of danger for the timo being, and all efforts' aro being concentrated on the house. Tho fires aro very bad at Maitawai, too, but there is but little between Rakauroa and Matawai, except a-few -smouldering logs. If' tho. Tain which promises comes, we .-may bo all right, but, if it doesn't, there will be heavy loss, as the men' can't stand tho smoke." 1