Disastrous Fires In Hawke's

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1594, 29 December 1885, Page 2

Disastrous Fires In Hawke's

The following information ha 9 reached us from Takapau :— The fires are still raging, and there is no guessing the extent of the damage thai may be done, should the wind change. The saw-mill has gone, and so have a number of single inens' whares, and three houses belonging to married men have been burned to the ground, nearly everything they , contained being destroyed. In one case, blankets, clothing, and all were consumed by the flames. The smoke was so dense at one time that it was fortunate that some people were not smothered. One man was loading timber at the mill, but m order to save hia bullocks he had to sacrifice his dray, which went with the mill. These mishaps, coming at this festive season of j the year are doubly distressing. The fire is now travelling towards Mr Johnston's station, and should it not be checked, may even go as far as Waipukurau, when considerable loss of property must be suffered. A terrific wind .sprang up m the night, but it has lulled to-day. (Wednesday) for a titqe. Men are oqfc on the hills constantly watching, but fire is a hard master. Two families, at least, with five helpless children are left homeless by the disaster. — Waipawa Mail. A fire is burning fiercely near Papatu. It required every exertion to save Mr S. B. Firth's property. Another fire is evidently m full force at or near Tikokino. The fire at Takapau was still burning fiercely when the train passed. Intelligence reached here to the effect that Hurnpden bush is on fire, and Rathbone's mill m great danger. Yesterday the Waipawa bush was fired by someone near the river side, and the strong wind blowing carried the fire into Rathbone's sections, where he had planted about 1800 young trees, all of which are destroyed, and tho fire is still raging. Drower's mill at Takapau was entirely consumed, and I regret to add that so far as anyone is aware it was not insured. — Napier paper.