FIRE ON THE ELLESMERE PLAIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2883, 31 December 1885, Page 3

FIRE ON THE ELLESMERE PLAIN.

One of i.hn most disastrous (ires which hivo ever taken place in the EHesmere district, raged on the north bank of the Rikaia on Thursday afternoon and night. The flames, fanned by the howling nov'westev, scoured over the tussocks foi a time us fast as a

| horse could trot, burning everything in its (progress. The origin of. the fire is ! not definitely determined, but from information gathered from a passenger by the afternoon mixed train from Timaru, which left the Rakaia at 11 53., it appears the tussocks in the neighbourhood of Bankside, and then' again nearer Dunsaudel, were discovered to be on fire immediately after the train had passed. The damage done is something alarming, and could hardly be realised except by an eye witness. At one time it is supposed the body of flames must have been more than three miles wide. In its course Stewart's homestead, the Westerton farm building, and shepherds' huts, Mr Wash bourne's stables and men's dwelling, Mr Attwood's old farmstead, Mr GiHett's, Storry's, and M'Leod's plantations, and several other properties were totally destroyed. The Oakley sheep were driven into the yards and simply surrounded with flames. The posts of which the yard were erected were all burnt, and for a long time it was feared the sheep would be all smothered. Fortunately, when the fire burnt itself out, there were few losses. Mr Charles Hurst's large house and wool shed had a most m iracnlous escape. Every; shrub, tree, and plant in his valuable, garden, with the fences and some of the outbuildings, were destroyed, and, had it not been for the pluck and energy of the few men, the'mansion would have suffered the same fate. It appeared for a long time that the Board of Conservatorsvaluable plantations and house thereon must have caught fire, but thanks to the way in which Messrs Storry, Benny, Rev. Hands, Constable Warren, a few neighbouring farmers, and several of the Southbridge townsfolk and others worked, the flames were eventually knocked out in Mr Lubie's paddocks. At one time it was feared the fire would reach Southbridge, and several of the householders spent the greater part of the night in anxious vigil. As far as can be 'learned, none of the buildings burnt were insured.— Christchurch Press, December 26.