BUSH FIRES

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1671, 12 February 1906, Page 2

BUSH FIRES

SETTLERS HAVE AN ANXIOUS TIME.

DESTRUCTION OF BEAUTIFUL BUSH.

Per Press Association. Greymouth, Feb. 1

Bush fires in the viomity oi the State mine and at Brunner have given the residents a considerable amount of anxiety during the past three or four days. Owing to the spell of dry weather the bush is very inflammable. So far no great damage is reported, but owing to tho danger from windborne spaiks people at Dnnolli and Runanga township, at the State mine, have had to keep keen look out to prevent their home's oatobing fire, and many bouses have narrowly escaped destruction. In Borne oases valuable property would have been destroyed bat for the prompt aotion in keeping fires within bounds.

At Dunolli some ohains of a wooden tramway from the bush to the sawmil', Dear the State mine, was destroyed, and for a time the sawmill was in danger of destruction.

At Brunner the residents had a bard fight to keep tho fires from spreading to the houses, and at one period it was seriously contemplated asking for the services of the Greymouth fire brigade to assist in the work. Some beautiful bush on the old Mareden road, recently inspected by the Scenery Preservation Commission, is on fire, and it is feared that unless the wind moderates muoh damage will be done. Bush fires are also reported at different points aloDg the coast, between Grey and Westport. r