THE BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1659, 27 January 1906, Page 2

THE BUSH FIRES.

DESOLATION IN PARTS OF AUSTRALIA. FRIGHTFUL SUFFERINGS AND DEATH. A HERO. Eg telegraph,. Pres a Aeb’d,. Copyright Melbourne, Jan. 26. The saving of Clemson’s family was largely duo to the heroism cf Clavarino. an Italian, who, whon the homo contiguous to tho tanlc took fire, repoatedly exriDßuishocl the flames, although at each effort bis own clothes ignited. The heat became so intense that tho womoa become hystorioal, and hod to bo forcibly restrained from runoiog straight into tho flames. REFUGE IN WELL. Tho fire is s'.ill burning in tho valley of the Litt'e Franklyn. In one instance a whole family was saved through taking refuge in a woll. HOMELES3 FAMILIES. Thirty-two families aro utterly homolobs.

These are authenticated cases, but there must 1 o others, as it is difficult in tho ohaos that exhts to get lcliable news. A FATALITY.

The body of a man named Butler has been found. Ho was overoome whilst trymg to reach a relative’s residence. FIRE BREAKS. Round Daylesford the farmers are con- I structiog fire breaks. I It is feared if the wind freshons the fire will oome from the westward. DIED FROM BURNS. A man named Lafranconi was severely burned and died at Nargoon, 1 GREAT DESTRUCTION. The eucalyptus distillery was completely destroyed at Mortlake, and an army of eight hundred were engaged all day in fighting the fire. AloDg the roads heaps of dead stock are being found. The country _from Hillend to Merrim was laid waste on Tuesday. Practically all the settle) s are homeless. BRAVE SCHOOLMASTER. Tho heroism of a schoolmaster named Vales at Toora saved 28 children. He oollapsed again and again. He wtnt through a veritable furnace to get water to pour on the blankets covering the children. Mr Vales, interviewed, said the children obeyed him and lay fiat on the ground. Another man and he kept the blankets wet. He got water from the burning school till it collapsed, and then. went through the blsziDg scrub to a creek. The boys helped him. When the file was at its worst they ran under large logs, and covered themselves with wet blankets, and as they caught'they Bhifoed to other logs. The sohool children stayed with him ell night.

NINE BODIES. Nine bodies were bnried at Toora yesterday. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Soales and a party of laborers, while scrub cutting at BlnginwaTe, were surrounded by fire. Their horses were ridden fiercely, but were eo injured by the fire that they had to be shot. The men took refuge in a water-hole, which gradually filed with burning braaohes. They were in the water four hours. One man, who became temporarily insane, was prevented by force from su'eide. All ultimately escaped, but they were nearly blinded and scalded. RELIEF FUND. The Government are sending £IOOO to relieve the immediate neoessity of sufferers by tho Gippsland fires. A SAD STORY. Sydney, Jan. 26. Mrs Walsh, returning from a visit to her mother, accompanied by two children, got off the track in tho Warren district and wandered about in the dreadful heaL Both children perished from heat and thirst. The demented mother was rescued.