THE BUSH FIRES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1804, 21 March 1918, Page 2

THE BUSH FIRES.

GREAT LOSS OF STOCK. DETAILS ABOUT RAETIHI. Tailiape, Last Night. In the fire area there is still a strong wind blowing, although intermittent rains have reduced the fierceness of the fires. The loss of stock is very great. A freshening wind is again fanning the fires into violent action. Many terrible experiences are related by refugees, -who are Hocking into Taihape. Relief funds were promptly started, and relief parties, headed by Mr R. W. Smith, M.P., arrived on the scene of distress early this morning with huge supplies of bread, butter, meat, clothing, and drugs. While driving sheep from this district to Karioi, two drovers, Messrs Banks and Cooper, w T ere blinded, and came into the hospital. At Ohutu, Gilchrist, also Brown, had a woolshed destroyed. G. Campbell’s woolshed and yards have been destroyed. HOROPITO DESTROYED. Ohakune, Last Night. Horopito has been practically destroyed. A sawmill and twenty houses have been wiped out. Ohakune has received only a little damage. The damage to farms is widespread. The loss of sheep and cattle must be enormous. One man lost 2,000 sheep in one holding. It is impossible'to get down the roads near Ractihi, so (hat (he real extent of the damage is still unknown. It is feared there must: be loss of life in the back country. Heavy rain fell last night, and the danger must now be over. RAIN SAVES SITUATION. Taihape, Last Night, Telephone communication was restored with Ractihi and Ohakune at 4 this afternoon. Intermittent rain fell'over the whole district from midday on Tuesday. Between the showers the tire regained any lost force, but during the night it rained in torrents, transforming the overpowering brilliancy into darkest night. The rain, came to Ohakune’s aid just in time to save the town. Residents had a very anxious time, believing their homes Avere doomed. The fires are nearly out at Raetihi, and people are flocking back by special trains run for the pux*pose. It is confidently believed that no lives Avere lost. In addition to Raetihi business premises destroyed, 18 or 20 residences Avere completely lost. There is no further danger at Rangalaua or in any other part of this fire zone. If true, the losses reported will aggregate a depressing figure.