Panic=stricken Gisborne Settlers

Evening Star, Issue 19803, 29 February 1928, Page 5

Panic=stricken Gisborne Settlers

FLEEING FROM FLAMES

Disastrous Bush Fires Raging

1,000 Sheep Destroyed

A Blackened Waste

[Per United Press Association.]

GISBORNE, February

been burned out, and it is estimated that fully 1,000 sheep have been lost in the flames, besides a few head of cattle.

The whole of the vegetation in the valleys from Hick's Bay to Cape Runaway has been completely destroyed by fires which got out of control during the weekend. One homestead has

Hick’s Bay. burned through M'Guire’s and Trafford’s properties, and continued up the Oweka Valley to Maddox Wilson’s and Neale’s properties, leaving a blackened waste. The settlers are powerless to check the flames, and at 1 a.m. Mr and Mrs Downey, with two babies, had to evacuate their home,’ being hunted from place to place by the flames, and finally finding refuge in a Maori meeting house at Potaka. Downey lost everything, tho whole of his homestead, property, and stock being destroyed.

The Waitangibia Station homesteads were endangered, and settlers named Thomas and Cranswick had to leave their homes after burying their valuables. They lost some 300 sheep.

A workman named Calnan on this station and his wife had to make a hurried exit from their camp, and lost everything they possessed. Tho A. C. Wood Station house at Lottiu Point had a narrow escape, hoses being played on tho building throughout the night, and every available man assisting. Mac Niven’s home at Omareporoa was similarly saved.

Tho (ires were still raging last night in tho Oweka Valley, Neal’s and Wilson’s houses being endangered.

Panic-stricken settlers were compelled to flee from their homes and seek refuge further north. Tho lire started three miles from

Tho ilames were at one time dangerously near tbo flick’s Bay tiwnship. A report that the Kolia Station woolshed was destroyed is unfounded.