MILES OF COUNTRY ABLAZE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8353, 13 February 1913, Page 7

MILES OF COUNTRY ABLAZE

HOMESTEADS THREATENED AND STOCK DESTROYED. Press Association. GISBORNE, February 12. Settlers in the Mangatu country are experiencing a most anxious time. Grass and scrub Urea have been burning tor the past four or five days, and tanned by tho recent heavy winds these have cot beyond control, with the result that Shout fourteen miles of country was reported to bo ablaze this morning. Some of the settlers have been battling with the flames continuously without sleep for the past two or three days, several of tho homesteads being ened. Mr Turnbull’s place is reported to be in the most critical situation, the fire having-come up from tho back, and with the change of wind has surrounded the homestead. , , , At Whatatuhi to-day the atmosphere was so thickly charged with smoke that it was impossible to see much more than 100 yards, and it was impossible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. As far as could bo learned, tho fire was burning; on Okaihau, Waitangiroa, Aotearoa and Wairero. . * Tho conflagration is now common to grass alone, but, fanned by the heavy westerly gale, has swept across. the country, taking fences and anything in its path. It is not known at this stage,what stock losses have occurred. The wind is .Mil blowing hard at intervals, and ram is urgently required to extinguish the This" afternoon the Gisborne streets were enveloped in thick pungent smoke, which smarted the eyes and tickled the throat, while traffic at a distance of 100 yards was practically obscured, and I the sun hung like a great rod ball. Early in the morning the grassy slopes of Kaiti Hill, adjacent to the town, caught fire and a strenuous time was epent in battling with the flames, which appeared at one time as if they would threaten the Kaiti Freezing Works at the foot of the hills. The fir© originated in a tent occupied by Messrs Neal and Duncan, and sparks sot fire to tho dry grass of the hillside. The slaughtermen and others > at tho Kaiti works abandoned their knives and hooks for wot sacks, and accomplished good work. In tho meantime the many parties who were camped on the beach took the alarm, and manv quickly demolished their temporary houses, and ail available carts were called on, end soon set out in procession townwarde with loads of furniture. . , The fire was ultimately suppressed about 4 p.m.