BUSH FIRES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1926, Page 3

BUSH FIRES.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] NOW IN CHECK IN VICTOKIA. MELBOURNE, Eeli 18. Most of the fresh tires threatening new townships and settlements nr,, now in chock. By clearing a break around AVnlbnlla the township has keen saved, but a large fire is still burning on Mount Lookout.. A strong .soulb-westciTy wind fanned lires that were smouldering near Healesville into II a me. Sweeping at a tremendous pm-?, these tires soon covered eleven miles, and threatened Tooluugi township. Assistance was obtained from neighbouring places, and after a three hours’ strenuous fight, the flames were controlled. Eire fighters are now patrolling the threatened areas. Special intercession services will le held at. St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. when prayers for rain will lie offered. EH ESI I N.S.W. OUTRHEA KS. SYDNEY. Fch. 18. There are hush fires in the Maneliope and the West Maitland area, and other northern parts. They have caused heavy damage. The. township of Thornton was menaced hut heroic work by fire lighters prevented its destruction.

The fires in the Y\Y-I Maitland area my now dying down, but in the Manehope district they are .still burning tiercel v. „

There are no detail- as the telephone and telegraph lines an? down. It i.s believed numbers ol the fires Mere started deliberately as motorists passing along the road in the morning saw only one big ling, and, returning later in the day. they observed half a dozen fires blazing in different loeali ties.

THE DANG Eli LESSENING. MELPOI'HNE. February ID. Most of the bush fires have now either burned down to smouldering embers or have been diverted into piaees where they can do little damage to life and property. Rain is needed to put an end to the danger, hut the meteorologist says none is in sight. The attention of the State is now being directed to the urgent question of giving relief to many sufferers and to rohabiliating the timber industry and men employed in it. Already fifty thousand sterling has been, subscribed in the city, In the stricken areas local committees are working urgently to attend to the immediate wants of those dispossessed or others needing assistance. All the missing mou are accounted for and it is thought the full casualty list i.s now known. All the injured except two young children of the lfndgo family, are reported out of danger, and are making good progress.