Bush Fires.

Manawatu Herald, 3 February 1898, Page 3

Bush Fires.

A representative of ihe Advocate, who left Hunterville late on Tuesday afternoon for Marton, reports that the fires were raging with great ••ferity in the vioinity of Bilverhope and Paraekaretu, and so dense was the smoke around Silverhope that the road in the locality was con■idered impassable, many intending .travellers by the road having to Abandon tbeir journey. Nearer Hunterville a fire was raging on Mr A. Morrison's land, and threatened to do considerable damage. Unfortunately Mr Morrison was absent in Hunterville at the time. Mr 0. Parker's woolehed caught fire, and in spite of the willing hands hard at work, it doubtless would hav* been destroyed, but for the rainfall whioh came as a Godsend to the settlers. Mr T. Parker abandoned his house, titer having buried a few articles, but it is understood that the building ii safe. The Rata correspondent writes :— The heavy gale which was blowing on Tuesday brought the fires from from Leedstown road to Rata, and by two o'olook the whole plaoe was -aroveloped in dense smoke .followed ■.mm iflnrfeyliM. Tbe sawmill and buildings wire in danger,

and the houses owned ''by Messrs Warrington, H. Rose, A. Eng, 0. Olsen, G. Henderson and J. B. Pybua were only saved by the untiring efforts of those working against tbe flames. Bain fell at 4 o'clock. The bush fire spread to a house on Mr Rhode's land and destroyed a house occupied by Mr Bettridge. It is reported that Mr J. Hammond has had to ebifb his furniture, but no reliable information can be obtained, the road being impassable. The damage done by the bnsb fires within a few miles of Hunterville within the last few days is simply appalling. Mr B. E. Simpson is a very heavy loser. On the Vinegar Hill property quite 1200 acres of land has been swept clear of grass and a large proportion of the fencing has been destroyed. In fact here and at Glen Morven his loss in grass amounts to over 2000 acres, and fourteen miles of fencing is riddled with openings. The fire also swept over Mr W. Howie's land and one settler counted no less than 300 of Mr Howie's sheep dead in one gully. Mr F. Thorns' property is practically ruined for the season and the property of Mr A. Thorns has also been swept almost clear of grass. Mr Hazeldean hae lost heavily as also has Mr Dalziell. A good many others have also suffered. i