DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1925, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

AHAURA VICAR AOK DESTROYED. (Oro.v “Argus”). The continued spell of dry weather, :iJuL the consequent r,arched condition of the land all ore" Alt' district causing many (ires sonic of them of a disastrous nature, and indeed, many of tlic smaller townships are in danger of of total destruction, so> frequent have the lires become during the past week. Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o'clock the Anglican Vicarage at Ahaura was totally destroyed. The building was a fairly old one, lint had recently been added to. The outbreak was caused by a hush fire in the vicinity setting alight to some dried blackberry hushes, which had been out. The flames swept along with startling rapidity, and in ail incredibly short time the building was nothing hut a smoking ruin. The Rev. Douglas Hay is a heavy loser, as nothing was saved. The value of the Vicarage building is estimated at CGOO, but the insurance on the furniture is not available. The residents of Ahaura are alarmed at the frequency of the fires in the vicinity of the town. Several times during the last few days the residents have had to turn out to put out fires that.were endangering residential property. The whole town has been completely surrounded by fire.s. and an anxious time has been caused the residents.

People at Stillwater have also had an unenviable experience for some nights past. Large hush tires have been endangering sawmill property in the vicinity and bodies of men have been turning out nightly for the past week, checking the progress of the flames. From other parts of the district the reports are equally disquieting, barge bush fires have been occurring for many days past, aiul valuable timber has been destroyed.

Her. Mr Hay has had a number of guests at the viea.rage of late, and with these, lie is now himself the guest of Rev. Air Collins at C'ohdon vic-vage. The chief loss is the caravan, while the addition to the Ahaura vicarage was one built l\v Air Hay.

Reports received late last night- slated that several more tires had broken out at Ahaura and that some houses had been destroyed. The police, however, had received no official intimation regarding the matter, apart from the fact that large bush tires were in pro-

gress. A disastrous fire occurred in AlcGrath’s bush at Kumara, on Tuesday night, by which much valuable timber, and approximately twelve chains of tramway wore destroyed. A laigc body .of workers fought the flames, which made an awe-inspiring spectacle. all night, and managed to save the bridges.