THE POSITION IN TARANAKI

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 31

THE POSITION IN TARANAKI

FAMILIES BURN CD OUT

TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 18 The town and district ha\e been m semi-darknc&s all afternoon, the ,«un being completely obscured by smoko, while the heat is ctifling. It is inipcs«ib]f to di«tm guiah even buildings at a distance of ICO yards, A gale from (he south has been blowing all day, and is now increasing in t chime. This eeoms to have restarted the fires in all directions. So far -it is impossible to got particulars of any individual losses, but. reports now reaching town indicate that dairy factories are in danger, and thnt several families have b?en burned out and are being brought into town. Heavy losses in stock are anticipated. Latest reports receitcd at 11 p.m. indicate that the fires are very seiious in the I country, but as communication is cut off fiom many districts, details are not procurable. At Oaonui the fires are raging in all directions, and settlers are lighting the flames under distre-sing conditions. Reports from Egmont village are meagre, but it is understood that children i are unable to get home from some of the schools in the locality. Many settlers, with their wives and families, have left home and have arrived in the township for safety. The Hillborough dairy factory is reported to be doomed. The fires in the Ratanui district are within four miles of New Plymouth. The Aruti district is one huge fire, and everyone is preparing for the worst. The fires are raging fiercely in all directions at Tongaporutu and Puniho, and the settlers have sent their families out of the danger zone. Many are leaving their homes with only their wearing apparel, trusting to good fortune to save their homes. On the Kahui road tho sawmills are threatened, and the Newall Road School js in the midst of the fire zone ai d in imminent danger. All the upper roads are ablaze, and the fortunes of the settlers are ynascerta-.nu.ble. The wind shows no sign of abatement, and the volume of smoke is uudiminished. Suburban residents are taking precautions in case of fire durinar the night, and the fire brigade and telephone office staff are being kept on duty. February 19. It is very difficult to get authentic information as to the damage by the bush fires. The Sash and Door Company's sawiti'i'l on the Egmont road was destroyed. The loss is estimated at £300&_ The insurances are small. A setter named Shoemnrk on the same read, lost all his effects, which had been removed from the house. lit is nioft certain whether the house was destroyed. His family was brought to tow<n last night. In the costal districts the position is serious. It is thougfrft impossible to save the Newall Ricad School. A four-roomed house on the Kahui road, owned by Hemingway, was destroyed last nisrht. The effects were saved. Other families have bear sent-"to Rahotu. It is net known whether the houses escaped. Several fami'ies were brought into Puniiho last mafht ah-o. but it is net known whether thei.r homes were destroyed. The situafon improved a little this morning, and jnilLing proceeded as usual on several farms wthero last night the danger was great. The Warca- school children were unable to go home last nigibit. In the northern disttrictte towards Molcau j the country is full &f fire and smok*. but ' there is no definite information as to serious results. February 20. Owing to the absence of wind the situation with re#peet to fires ia .much less serious to-day. Settlers are taking advantage of the lull to make such preparations as are possible for stalling off a renewed outbreak if it occurs. There is no sign of rain yet. February 21. Lo=ses by bush fires are very heavy, especially to the poorer class of settler 1 !, some having lo*t not only all their feed, but al=o their stock. A relief fund will probably be opened in the town. The Daily News suggests Government assistance in fhe shape of donations of grass seed to the struggling settlers whose farms had been razed, the machinery of the Agricultural Department being ivs<>d to reoommaind necessitous case*!. The fires are still smouldering, but are i>ot likely c to spread extensively unless the wind rises again. February 22. Nice showers fell in some parts of the district this morning, and more rain sooms nrobable. The situation with regard to bush fires is much easier.