LATER PARTICULARS.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 88, 5 January 1886, Page 2

LATER PARTICULARS.

Waipawa, January 4. At three o'clock this morning com- > menced the most extensive fire experienced at Waipawa or any other country town in Hawke' s Bay. Mr O'Callaghan, a tailor, who occupied premises near the river, awoke about that hour and found that his premises were on fire. In a few moments the whole of the premises were in a blaze, a dog which was tied up in the shop being burnt to death. The flames spread to Chicken's, watchmaker, where several hundred pounds' worth of stock were destroyed in a few moments. The adjoining premises, occupied by Stirling (tobacconist) next caught, and were soon a charred heap of ruins. It was evident that the Empire hotel must go, and the Settlers Arms hotel, and the large block of building on the opposite side of the road were in imminent danger. Joll's fruit shop was soon in a blaze. The hotel was a mass of smoking embers in a short space of tune. The Bank of New Zealand caught and was longer in burning than the other buildings. The Post and Telegraph office quickly followed. The fire then^ destroyed the premises of Nach, painter, Stone, fruiterer. Many worked hard but special mention must be made of Constable Brosnahan, who stuck to his work, though his whiskers were twice on fire, and of a band of Maoris. Auckland, January 4. Bush fires have been raging at the Drummald Brothers bush, Kaukapakapa, for four days. Besides the growing bush, felled and squared timber, to the value of £150, and two cottages have been burned. They were insured in the New Zealand office for £100, and furniture for £40. Blenheim, January 4. Very destructive bush fires are raging along the line between Blenheim and Picton. One house and its contents were destroyed and several others narrowly escaped. The residence of Captain Baillie, M.L.C., was saved yesterday by the exertions of the neighbours adjoining, the bush being on fire. A disastrous bush fire is also raging in the Upper Pelorus Valley. One house and its contents were destroyed and another narrowly escaped. The telegraph line is damaged, one pole being burnt, and linemen had to ride more than a mile between two fires in order to repair the wires. They had to lay their heads on the horses' sides and let them take their course. The dense smoke and flames from the burning bush in the Hai Valley render travelling a difficulty lately.