THREE HUNDRED ACRES OF BUSH DESTROYED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 34

THREE HUNDRED ACRES OF BUSH DESTROYED.

THE SAWMILL UNDAMAGED.

Mr E. E. Stark, the city electrical enjn- 1 neer, went out to the Waipori hydroelectric works by \motor :ar on Thursday morning to investigate matters in connection with the destructive fire that rajtod thero on Wednesday night. Mr Stark on hig return to town brought with him the reassuring information that the sawmill, which was reported to have been destroyed, was quite intact, and had never been reached by the fire. The fact that the bush surrounding the mill was a blazing mass naturally led -the men to think that the mill must have been destroyed, and they reported accordingly. This welcome information therefore reduces the damase reported to have been sustained by aj very considerable amount. The mil!', although completely encircled by furiouslyburning bush, was, by virtue of the fact that it was situated in a moisture-laden area, saved from destruction.

The barracks were completely destroyed, as also were the stables. The remainder of the buildings were only saved by the strenuous efforts of the men, who worked! like Trojans, and staved off the approaching danger by playing water on the cottages and keeping wet blankets on them. The men, and in no small degree tha housekeeper, fought against flame and! smoke in heroic manner, and it was a» marvellous piece of work that the cottaeeef were saved. None of the household goods contained in the barracks were sav«d. while a quantity of Nothing and personal! effects belonging; to the men, and the housekeeper also, suffered in the general destruc« tion.

The fire originated about two .miles down the river, where some mineie were camped., In all about 300 acres of bush were de-c-troyed. Some of it wa-s good timber,but a great deal of it faas- useless lor milling purposes. Further, most of the* good timber -in the vicinity of the .nil! had been cut down some time ago. Still.' a big area of valuable bush has beca destroyed. Welcome rain came on at an early houn yesterday morning, and, as can be imagined, .relieved the feelings of the men, who were keeping watch over-nij?ht in the event of further danger. The rain continued throughout tho day, and assisted materially in retarding the progress of the fire. When Mr Stark left to return to town there were still a large number of logs and tree stumps burning in every direction, but no further danger is anticipated therefrom.