TERRIBLE BUSH FIRE AT WAIMATE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1484, 18 November 1878, Page 3

TERRIBLE BUSH FIRE AT WAIMATE.

MANY HOUSES DESTROYED.

FORTY FAMILIES DESTITUTE.

From the " Waitangi Tribune, of Saturday, we take the following particulars of the disastrous firo winch broko out in the bush at Waimato on the previous day : About ten o'clock yesterday morning the ringing of the fire-bell called the attention of the inhabitants of this town towards the bush, when it was visible that the high wind that raged at the timo had blown up the smouldering ashes of the fire which caused such trouble on Saturday last, and had also carried a fire that had been creeping down the side of the hill for some days into the bush above Theobald's. The fire brigade were soon on the move, the main body attacking the nearest conflagration, and several of the party and a number of the residents in the town pushing on to the upper bush, where, from the dense volume of smoke darkening the sky, it could he seen a fierce fire was raging. It soon became apparent to those engaged on the part near Bruce's that unless strenuous efforts were made a house belonging to a man named Whale and several others would bo destroyed, and a party of the brigado, assisted by otners, at once went to tho rescue, and after an hour's hot work managed to save them. The house occupied by Mr Theobald and family and several others in its neighborhood were burnt down, such being tho force of the wind and heat that no efforts of the excited people could save them. E'irly in the afternoon fears were entertained that tho fire would soon extend to Mr Hayes' mill, and about half-past 3 o'clock the work of dismantling fhe establishment was commenced. Mr Fothergill, about Lhe samo time, got his house cleared of its furniture and other valuables, and, together with his wife and family, they were brought to town in traps. Thfl scene was a most exciting one about this timo. Waggons and traps were dashing about, and furniture was being frantically piled on to them in a mofrt heterogeneous manner. People were seen making their "" 5 7 to the town on foot loaded *-Mi smaU articles. Shortly afterwards Mio wind, which had been blowing from tho west sir ted round to a more southerly point which had the effect of taking the fire-that had run along among the scrub and stumps to the southward of Mr Hayes' mill-over into the dense part of tho bush. To make matters worse, it blew stronger, and the tire flew along with amazing rapidity. So fiercely did it burn that tho dismantling party had only time to save one or two of the articles ot machinery at tho mill. In removing Mr Kickman's family in a buggy, the horse bolted, and the conveyance ran against a stump, the conse-

sequence being that the driver's leg was broken, but the children escaped unhurt. Mr Potts, manager for Mr Studholme, had to ride through Ihmes and was very much scorched about Ida face and hands. Towards the close of the afternoon much uneasiness was felt in consequence of it being reported that fully forty men—including Messrs Sinclair, W. M'Donald, Hunter, and other tradesmen of this town, who hud gone to the assistance of the bushmen—were then in the bush; but we are happy to state that they all made their appearance "shortly after. Towards dusk there was not a house left standing, we think, at the edge of the bush, and numerous stumps were on fire at the back of the town. The poor creatures brought to town were first refused admittance into the immigration barracks, but Mr John Manchester, with praisoworthy determination, ordered the building to be thrown open to the homeless ones. He then, in conjunction with his respected partner, Mr 'G-oldsmith, sent down a good supply of provisions of all kinds ; so that the wants of the needy ones —no less than twenty families —were well cared for, and when we visited the barracks last night the scene was a touching one—some poor women were bemoaning their loss, and even one or two of the men seemed half demented. [By Telegraph.J [PEOM THE COEEEBFONDENT3 OP THE TRESS.] Waimate, November 17, 5 p.m. The fire is still burning on one side of the bush, but no further material damage is apprehended. Very little damage was done to maiden bush. The loss will fall principally on the woodcutters, and holders of small sections of dry bush which haue been swept. Hayes' large portable engine was saved. His upper mill is expected to be at work in a week. Hunt and Jeffries' and Barrett's plants were totally destroyed. The fire brigade, under Captain Sinclair, and the police, under Sergeant Boutledge, worked admirably at great personal risk. Fully forty families are homeless and destitute.

At a meeting of the townspeople yesterday a relief committee was appointed, and collected in the room £246. The wind is rising again. Timabu, November 17.

The fire at Waimate Bush is still burning. All the valuable portion of the timber is burnt, together with mills and machinery, of Hunt and Jeffrey, A. Hayes, and Barrett. Studholme's loss is £40,000, Price's £IOOO, Barrett's £BOO, and Rickman's £4OOO. £BO,OOO will not cover all the damage, besides bush and mills. Thirty-two families have been burnt out of house and home. A number of persons were severely scorched, and two had limbs broken.

A public meeting was held at Waimate yesterday to take Bteps for the relief of tho sufferers. A strong committee was appointed, and it was resolved that the Mayors of Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin bo requested to take stops to assist in obtaining relief. Temporary accommodation is being provided for the homeless women and children in the public halls, hospital, &c.