BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 843, 18 March 1903, Page 3

BUSH FIRES.

SETTLERS BURNT OUT.

(Per Press Association), Napier, last night.

A special telegram to the Telegraph from Makaretu advises that large bush fires are raging in the Ashley, Clinton, Makeretu [Makaretu], Blackburn, and Wakarau [Wakarara] settlements. Several settlers have been burnt out at Blackburn, and one at Makaretu.

NUMEROUS HOMES DESTROYED

(Per Press Association.)

NAPIER, last night

Extensive bush fires are raging all over the district between Dannevirke and Takapau and inland to Makeretu [Makaretu], Ashley, Clinton, Blackburn, Norsewood, and other places. Considerable damage has already been done in several places to houses and property, and as there is a very strong wind blowing, fears are entertained that very much more damage will he done.

The express train from Wellington was delayed nearly an hour and a half to-night, owing to the bush fires at Ormondville and at Gamman’s Siding, about three miles on the south side of Takapau, where the fire was so close that some of the sleepers on the railway line were burnt away. Bartholomew’s sawmill at Takapau has been completely destroyed, as also faur [four] cottages at Gamman’s Siding, a house at Ashley Clinton, one at Makaretu, a house and a woolshed at Norsewood, and it is rumored that a large homestead at Norsewood has also gone.... The full extent of the loss up to the present it is impossible to estimate, as the smoke is so thick as to make travelling difficult, but unless rain comes shortly the position is likely to become serious. ...The scene at night is described as awe inspiring in the extreme, the whole horizon glowing with minarets of fire, as far as the eye can reach.