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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 63, 16 March 1870, Page 2

We learn that a considerable quantity of Flax country between the Ferry and Tua Marina, was ravaged by a bush fire oa Thursday evening, when much damage was done. —Express. Value oe Flax. — A paragraph has gone th& rounds of the papers that owners of flax land in this district were receiving fo per ton for allowing flax to be cut. Some time ago we stated that ss. was charged, and doubtless the shillings have become magnified into pounds. —Timaru mierald. More Fires in Marlborouh. —On Thursday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, the Vernon Run was discovered to be on fire, and its proximity to the town caused some apprehension as the flames ran along, a westerly wind was blowing at the time, which helped to keep it to the upper portion of the ruu. A party of townspeople proceeded to the place, and worked most assiduously in beating the flames out on the northern side, iu which they were quite successful. The fire, however, continued to run up and down the ranges, and last evening was far from being extinguished, while it had spread as far as the Eagle Rock, on Dr. Renwick's Run. Ou Tuesday eveuing last, about 9 o'clock, another stack fire was observed in the horizon, which it afterwards transpired was at Mr. C. BrindelPs farm, on the south side of the Renwick Road. A number of persons assisted, but all efforts to save the stacks were iu vain, and four, consisting of wheat and barley, valued at £200, were completely destroyed. No clue as to the origin of the lire has transpired, but we are informed by a neighbour that ou the evening in question he was going to bed wbeu he noticed the stacks in tbe distance all dark and nothing amiss, but just as he was stepping iuto bed a few moments later, his glance again fell upon them, and he saw a light like that of a candle slowly elevated to the eaves of one of the stacks, when all at once it burst into flames. The circumstances attending this fire, as well a3 that at Mr. Goulter'sare certainly suspicious.