Notes from Waituna West

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 90, 28 January 1892, Page 2

Notes from Waituna West

[from our own correspondent. I Bush fires and smoke have been the principle topics of conversation during the past few days. On Friday there was a strong wind blowing from the east, and a bush fire started from a section near Hayne's track, quickly spread over Mr Stuart's farm and right across into the Waituna block, setting fire to Benseman's, Gordon's, Northcottfs, and Howell's bush. It made things very warm at Howell's for a long tjme, as the. wind blew fair on to the house, which took fire several times, and if help had not been handy it must have been destroyed. Mr S. Williamson also had a warm time of it removing 3000 sheep from where they where threatened by the fire. Messrs Hanker, Murray, McDougall, and Thompson were also threatened by the fire, and I hear some 50 bags of ryegrass seed, which had been cut on Mr Williamson's section, were destroyed. In the Waitapu the fire has also done a lot of damage, several parties losing large quantities of cocksfoot seed, while others had fencing burnt. Mr H. Baer died on Monday morning, aged 57 years, after a long illness. The deceased was one of the earliest settlers in the Waituna. He leaves a j widow and seven children, the youngest about 10 years old. The funeral took place yesterday forenoon and was largely attended, upwards of fifty persons composing the cortege. At the late residence of the deceased Mr J. H. Murray held a service, and on arrival at the Feilding Cemetery the Rev. W. Harris officiated. Mr W. G. Shearer was the undertaker. Whooping cough has made its appearance in this district, several families having it badjy. This, I fear, will close our school for a time.