AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1231, 25 January 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

THE PREVAILING DROUGHT. [NEW ZEALAND HERALD, JAN. 20.] The damage both to the health of the people and the crops from the extraordinarily long continuance of rainless weather is assuming most serious proportions, nor at the present moment are there any symptoms whatever of a change. Last night clouds came up thickly from the south and east, the wind fell, and a light rainy mist sufficed to damp the grass and impart a clamminess to the atmosphere. The heat was intense last night, and the effect of Ihe light rain was similar to that of a vapor bath. Letters from the country speak of the crops as in most instances injured, and in some localities quite ruined. The scarcity of grays has interfered seriously with the supply of butter and cheese, lands situated in dry localities being entirely burnt up. In the direction of the Waikato we hear that the principal feed is to be found in the swamps, which have become almost as dry as ordinary uplands in winter. Around Auckland for miles the prospect is most dreary. Nature has clothed herself in a snuff-colored suit, and save an occasional patch of marshy ground or some sheltered nook protected from the suns fierce rays nothing green presents itself to the eye wearied with the surrounding desolation. Noi are the dwellers in the cities much less seriously affected, although they suffer not in the same way. Most of the wells in the city contain nothing more than a little slimy mud. The supply at the standpipes from thp Domain is very limited and uncertain. Very few people have any supply of rain water in reserve, and much of the ill-health of adults and mortality amongst children must be attributed to general use of stagnant and unwholesome water. It is true that boiling will remove a good many of the impurities, bit it has been scientifically proved that only a small portion of the life germs contained in bad water can be destroyed by this means. We notice that water of good quality can be purchased in any quantity, and there are few people in the city who could not afford to buy sufficient for drinking and culinary purposes. At the present time we shall not be accused of exaggeration if we say that a week's rain would be worth £IOO,OOO to the Province of Auckland.

Such a happily exceptional season is remembered by few even of the old t-esidents, and certainly we have experienced nothing of the kind for 18 years past. On turning back the New Zealand Statistics, we find that a somewhat similar season occurred in the year 1854, causing great destruction

of crops. At that time the droughty however, according to the newspaperfiles of that year extended over most of the colonies, and Tasmania was almost desolated thereby. We find that in, December 1853 the amount of rainfall was I'so inches, whilst daring January 1854 the fall was only *l6 inches. During December of last year, according to our published reports the total rainfall was ITB9 inches, whilst from January Ist of this year up to there has been no rain at all. With the exception of the summer of ’54 we. believe that the memory of man fails to recall any previous season so hot and dry as the present one. DESTRUCTIVE BIJSI* EIRE AT COROMANDEL. [NEW ZEALAND HERALD’S CORRESPONDENT.'] January 19. One of the most destructive bush fires which have ever raged in this district broke out here yesterday, arid resulted in the destruction of a large amount ofproperty. Fires have been burning in various parts of the district, with more or less intensity, during the last fortnight, but yesterday, fanned by a strong easterly wind, they took hold, and raged, with redoubled fury. Dense clouds o£smoke rolled over the ranges, and ob soured the sight of the hill, and although it was evident from the township that the tire was burning fiercely, no, apprehension of any danger was entertained, Betweeij six and seven o’clock, a mes-. senger was sent to Mr Aitkin, to say that the tramway was in danger ofi being burnt. He at once despatched; about twenty men to the help of those already there, and went up. himself to direct operations. Soon afterwards, Mr Kelly, and a son of Mr Lynch' came down, having come round by Paul’s Creek, and reported that the. whole hill was on fire, and that several stores and whares had been burnt down. A number of people at once started for, the hill, but on getting just beyond the Nil Desparaiulnm battery the heat and blinding smoke were so strong that it was found impossible to proceed. About 10 o’clock the fire had moderated a good deal, and then I started up for the tramway, the fire was burning fiercely in places, and the smoke was suffocating. The tramway was covered with half-burnt pieces of fallen timber, and gn-gu, which bad blown of the. trees.

At Tookey's battery it raged with, great fierceness, and it has taxed the. utmost efforts of the, manager and a band of willing hands to keep the fire, from the machine. The large shoot and platform, formerly used for sending down quartz, was on fire from eni| to end, and large quantities of burning coals and pieces of timber came, lolling down the shoot on the platform, and threatened every instant the destruction of the buildings. Fortunately Mr She wring had an ample supply of water, and had made complete arrangements, and the fire, was put out as, fast as it rolled down, while the roof, walls, and every part of the building; was kept continually saturated with, water.

About two o'clock in the morning all danger over, and the men, who, had been working until thoroughly exhausted, were enabled to take a little rest.

The tramway was saved from con-, siclerable injury by the indefatigable exertions of Mr Keary, Foreman of the, Works, and a number of able and willing men whom he had to assist him. It was on fire in 20 different places, and : it was a constant run up ami down, through fire, smoke, and dust, to keep, it from being burnt. On the top of the Tokaiea saddle the new store of Mr Halligau wqs burnt down, and not an article saved. Mrs Halligan and her. c.hildren had to run away, not having time, e.ven to put a hat on their heads. The butcher's shop of Mr Stewart shared the same fate in a few minutes. The shares of Messrs Reed, Black, Yeoland, M. Murray, ami a large number of others, were all burnt to the ground, in many instances the occupants not being able to save a simde article. The women and children had to take refuge in the Tokatea drives, and were nearly smothered by the smoke. The goods from Mr. Luke's and other stores were all removed into the drives, but fortunately

the buildings were saved after great exertions.

The loss occasioned by this fire is ■very great, and a subscription is being got up for the relief of the sufferers. Fortunately no lives were lost, but there were several very narrow escapes.

ANOTHER BUSH TIRE. The New Zealand Herald, 20th hist., .says:—A large bush fire was raging most oj yesterday on the opposite side of the harbor; as far as we could judge, somewhere in the country just beyond Stokes' Point. Since hearing of the destruction ca-jsed by some of these busdi fires of late, in various parts of the country, we cannot but fear for some of the numerous small clearings in that neighborhood.