BUSH FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 63

BUSH FIRES.

I AUCKLAND, February 4. | The bush fires in the Gumtown district have been burning for nearly- a month, and it is to be feared that a large quantity of kauri timber has been damaged, including a number of logs which were waiting for freshes in the creeks to bring them down to the booms. The lands round about Gumtown are held under lease by the Kauri Timber Company and the LeylandO'Brien Timber Company, and in the cases of mining companies areas are subleased to the various syndicates. The fires appear to have been specially brisk in the vicinity of the Kapowai Gold Mining company's i claim. As far back as January 7 the manager reported that a severe fire had swept the Beetle section of the company's property clean of everything in the shape of trams, hoppers, and sheds, but the machinery was all right. On the 13th he again reported that the fires had sprung up again, and that his men and himself had been fighting night and day to save the machinery. He added : " Considering the intense heat and thiektaess of the fire, we succeeded well." On the 20th he Reported that there was still a considerable area burning, but he thought that the mine buildings vrere quite safe. His last report is to the effect that last Friday a very high wind fanned all the surrounding timber into flames, and the burning was worse than on the first occasion. The main hopper and shoot, which escaped the first fire, were destroyed this time, also about 7000 ft of mining timber. The water is falling rapidly in the creeks, and it will be impossible to start crushing until rain sets in. Some of the rften are working in tlfe mine, and others watching the buildings to save them from the fire. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 6. There have been only a few small bush fires, but no graes fires, in this district. FBILDING, February 5. The Apiti Dairy Company's creamery at Table Flat was destroyed by a bush fire last night. The fires are still burning in the Apiti and Rangiwihia districts. There* is no immediate danger, but unless rain comes or the wind keeps down there may be serious damage. FEILDING, February 6. ' Bush fires are getting ominously near Opiti. Some buildings on the outskirts of the town are in iJanarer. DANNEVIBKE, February 5. During die la«t few days the bush fires subsided somewhat, but this afternoon a fresh wind fanned ud the fires in the Piripiri district, near Dannevirke. Considerable damage was done on the tramway to

Holt's sawmill. Five bijr, bridges were de» stroyed, and 100 chains of tramline. At Anderson, Son, and Company's mill th* workmen's huts were destroyed and the stables burnt, but the horses and content* were saved. The mill was partially die» mantled, but there was no water. Th* country between here and Waipawa is tec* ribly dry and burnt up. and serious consev quences will ensue unless rain comes soon c The farmers are suffering greatly throunK loss of -stock by fire and forced sales to prevent starvationCARTERTON, February 7. An enormous bush fire began in rha Waiohine Valley property, belonging to Ml Ordish. A large quantity of standing bush was destroyed, and the firj» ie still burntugw The damage so far is not great. NELSON, February 6. Bush fires have broken out again in various parts of the district, and a repetition of the serious conflagrations of threa weeks ago is threatened. Two^ sawmills and a number of farm buildings at Wangapeka are in" danger o/ destruction.