BUSH FIRES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1923, Page 4

BUSH FIRES.

JIOrSE BURNED. Fiercely burning, wind-driven otish fires threatened to destroy the township of Kokiri. yesterday afternoon mil one live-roonied house at Baxter’s Kidiup, was totally destroyed. The fires which commenced on 'Wednesday afternoon swept alone; the road, and when the east wind came up

swung inwards towards the township. The Kokiri Sawmill was in serious danger, and the hands had to knock-off work and tight the tire. It endangered the school in its progress and a star,: of timber from a building which had been pulled down, and which was adjacent to the school was destroyed. '• esideiits came om and fought the flam -s. which eventually struck a patch of fallen hush and had their onward progress much retarded. T 1 ic house destroyed at Baxter's Siding was owned by Mr Percy Hondo, ana was. with its contents, totally dost roved. At the time ol the outbreak .M - Heade was absent in the township of Kokiri, and Mr lieade was at work cn the larni. and until they returned home were unaware of the destruction of their home. Ihe lire laic last night had stre into a patch of already burned bos-:, and was dying down, but residents Ice not altogether lost their fears of us breaking out again if the wind ro-.e. for the district is very dry. The who!" district was covered by a thick cloud of smoke and residents had a distinctly uneasy time.

Fires an* al-o burning in other H--tricts and in Duiiollie. Ttunauga. 'Mai ( reck and farther north on the Manvtmvii Hoad the bush is ablaze in patches. The scenic reserves on t 'ohden Hill were also burning yesterday afternoon, hut only in a small way.