Racing Jubilee Recalls Great Bushfire

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 64, 2 April 1937, Page 7

Racing Jubilee Recalls Great Bushfire

J.

SIDDELS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — I notice. through_£be Press, that the Hawke's Bay Joekey Club has invited Sir Charles Clifford to be present at its race meeting to be hqld next May for the purpose of commemorating the jubilee of the well-knowfc blue-and-gold chequers winning the Hawke's Bay Cup. As 1 was present at the Cup meeting, of 1888, the thought passes through my mind that there are several matters that may interest your many Hawke's Bay readers. Crutehfield was the horse raced by the late Sir George Clifford, the date 16th March, 1888. The race was run during a howling gale of wind which caused dust and dry graas almost to obseure the horses from view. At this date I was a constable stationed at Ormondville and left there that morning for Juty at Hastings raeecourse. All was then cairn, and there was not the slightest evidence of danger. During the day word was received that a flre was raging in the bush .'urrounding Ormondville, Norsewood and Makotuku. I was liurried back to Ormondville and found the whole district a burning furnace. At Ormondville the people had removed their household goods into railway trucks then standing in the yard. Fortunately at a critical moment tlie wind changed and the village of Or-

mondville was saved, but Nosewood and other parts of the district were not so fortunate. Much property and stock was destroyed, * This lire caused widespread suffering among the early settlers of tlie Norsewood district but thanks to the goodness of the people of Napier, Hastings and other parts of the Dominion, ako the Government of the day, everything possible was done to assist those most in need, and one passing through that district at the present time would never dreain . of the kardship and suffering that the early pioneers pa&sed through. I therefore have good reason to remember Crutehfield winning the Hawke's Bay Cup. No doubt but a fexv will be present at the coming meeting that were uresent in 1888. — Yours." etc..

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Wanganui, March 31, 1937.