DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN THE CATLINS DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 38

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN THE CATLINS DISTRICT.

The Catlins district has not been immune from bush fires during 'the past week, and in three instances at least there has been considerable destruction of property.

On Tuesday night an eight-roomed house belonging to and occupied by John 'Goldsberry, farmer, at Cannibal Bay, was destroyed by fire, together with outhouses, butter-making machinery, and furniture and effects, the property having a total value of £500. The family was fast asleep at the time. Shortly after midnight Mrs Goldsberry was awakened by the smell of smoke. She roused the others, and it was at once iseen IJhat a terrific fire was raging in the bush and -rapidly making its way in the direction of the house. There tfas just time to liberate some cattle which ■were in a paddook, and thus save them from being burned. .Mr Goldfeberry hurriedly yoked up his borse and got bis wife and daughter to drive away. .He remained near th© house himself for a time, but could do absolutely nothing to save bis property. He attempted to use some water to quench the oncoming flames, but blinded and nearly smothered by -smoke, he had to beat a hasty retreat. Fowls and pigs were destroyed in the blazei also a large area of grass. The sum of £10 in notes, -belonging to tha daughter, was lost in the .fire. Tie building, the dairy, and the washhouse were insured in the State Fire -Insurance Company for £190 and the furniture in the New Zealand office for £100. A considerable area of grass .and a cowbyre belonging to Biehard Kerr, Cannibal "Bay, .were -also burned, and it was only through > timely assistance that iKerr's house was saved. There was no insurance.

-On Tuesday there was also afire^at Barr's road, -Owaka, by .-which a chaff house, chaffoutter, pig sties, cart shed, «aid haystack of the value of £55, the -property of Thomas Barr, were destroyed. The loss was not covered by insurance. The fire originated in a smouldering bank of dried: -moss. •&. strong -gale caused the 'fire to spread, and it was only after •*. night* fighting with the flames by -the .owner and his neighbours that the dwelling-house was saved. A large area of grass was also covered by the -fire.

A recent visitor to Port Molyneux mii forms the Milton Mirror that bush iires aTe I causing considerable anxiety, and, to some, substantial loss. On Tuesday ! morning Mr "Goldbery'e residence overlook- ! ing Gannibal Bay was destroyed by fire. Mr Goldbery «tat«d that he rose from bed about -12 o'clock and «aw then that the fire was, bound to come, so he removed his stock to a place of safety. He went on to say : " The blaze did not creep towards us, but it JEaMy rained fire on to the house, and had a dozen -men been with me th© building could not have been «aved." At Ahxiriri some outbuildings were destroyed. With the strong winds prevailing just .now, "says our informant, and the dry condition of the country, fires are likely to start at any time.