FIRES STILL RAGING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 103, 25 January 1935, Page 6

FIRES STILL RAGING

Big Loss to Pastures in Waikato FAMILIES HOMELESS By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Hamilton, January 24. with the continuance of dry weather conditions, swamp fires throughout the i Waikato rage practically unabated, I and further loss to pastures has been I suffered despite a strenuous . tight against the encroaching flames. At Tauhei yesterday 13 families were rendered homeless as a result of a fire razing hutments to the ground in the Public Works camp. The fire originated over a week ago, and fanned by the recent strong winds it made rapid progress yesterday afternoon and evening. When the men realised the possibility of the fire reaching the camp they made every endeavour to check its advance, but when this became impossible, they took a few personal belongings and ran for safetyMuch pasture land in this locality has been swept by fire, and owing to the tinder-dry nature of other property settlers are much concerned. The evacuation of the Public Works camp was pathetic. Although their exit from the homes they have occupied for months was so hurried, the workers placed the contents of their hutments in neat piles on the roadside. There was a great variety of personal effects, including beds, sideboards, pictures, gramophones, chairs, clocks, bicycles, radio batteries, and even children’s toys. With great presence <>f mind the women worked strenuously in helping their husbands, and when lorries arrived to take away the furniture they handed articles up to the men loading th© vehicles. Some women with babies only a few months old divided their time between attending to them and watching the removal of the household goods. So far this month the Hamilton Fire Brigade has received twenty-two calls, a record for the district.