THE BUSH FIRES

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 32

THE BUSH FIRES

STILL RAGING IN THE NORTH.

AUCKLAND, February 25

The fire fiend is still active in some country * districts, and reports of extensive damage come to hand from Te Aroha, Matamata, and Pokeno. Swamp fires have , done much damage to grass and flax sections of the Hungahunga swamp, and in places it has been burned' down to the clay subsoil. At Pokeno valuable flax swamps have been devastated. From Matamata is reported the outbreak of a serious bush fire on the Okania clearing, which destroyed a four , roomed cottage (the property of Mr F. Blackman), and a number of sheep and cattle. The Waitekauri Gold Mining Co. a narrow escape with part of its [mining plant, the tramway, bridges, and the I hoppers at the head of the aerial tramway only being saved with considerable difficulty. The shortage of water made the task of fighting the fire a difficult one. February 25. The rains have .not checked the fires to any appreciable extent north of the King Country. Te Aroha reports that swamp fires have done considerable damage in the surrounding districts. Several sections in the Hunga-hunga Swamp partly in grass and parly in Hax have been burnt , down to the clay subsoil. Only by digging trenches across its course and by constant watchfulness have the settlers been able to keep the fire from the rest of the block. At Waihou, Mr Burk's swamp property has suffered heavily. A line of fire some miles in length is advancing across the Piako Swamp, the settled areas on the fringe of whioh are likely, failing a change in the weather, to be devastated. The country across the Witikato from Huntly. known as Pepepe, and Pukemiro districts, has sufferer far more exetnsively than was at first believed. The settlers there for the past month have been engaged in a very strenuous fight against fire, and in spite of their determined and continuous efforts have suffered serious loss. In several gases the home has been almost the only thing saved. Sparks carried by the prevalent winds travelled for miles, thus necessitating constant vigilance. No human beings, fortulJately, have fallen victims to the flames, though the loss of sheep and stock has* been considerable. Mr Anderson had some 500 acres of pasture swepi^ clean, and has lost about 500 sheep. Messrs Dingle Bros, had 1600 acres of grass' completely destroyed, and have been forced to sell their 6heen at considerable loss. Some 2000 had to be sold last week, there being no feed left for their support. Nearly 1300 acres of pasturage belonging to Messrs M'Kinnon at Pukemiro were devastated, and their loss in sheep has been heavy, though the exact number has not been ascertained. On one spur the calcined remains of 27 were found in a single heap. Mr William Allen's grass (160 acres) was destroyed, and on Saturday the fire started in the green standing bush. The fencing was totally destroyed, and it was oi:ly after a two days' struggle that he saved his house. Messrs A. Jarnieson and J. Holmes are also considerable losers, while all that is left to Mr Tom Parkes is I the house. About 100 acres of Mr Duff's property, which was recently sold, were destroyed, as also was the house. The la6t place to be attacked was the farm of Mr John Brown, who also suffered to a considerable extent. Fire broke out on Sunday at Waikaka, on Hauraki Plains. Mr W. Hedloy was proceeding from Tahuna to Keerepehi, when opposite Waikaka he noticed a growing reflection in the sky. Fire was raging in the vicinity of the Waikaka tramline, which extended three miles and a-half up to Bourke and Scotcher's flaxmill. Mr Hedley and others managed to hold the flames in check ,and prevented the fire from spreading to the re3t of the tramway and to the wharf. Had this occurred much serious damage -would have been done. The tramway was ripped up for some distance, and with some difficulty the fire was extinguished. Kopu has for some time been getting water from Kirikiri Creek, residents of Kopu purchasing it for 5s per tank. February 27. The recent bush fires have given a great 6timulu6 to the trade in grass seed, and local merchants are hard put to it to secure sufficipnt peed to fill orders. Inded, in regard to two grasses — Danthonia and Lotus major, — seed is quite unprocurable. In many cases orders have been duplicated. In others, farmers who did not intend to sow at all have been compelled to pasture or repaeture large areas. Settlers are availing themselves very largely of the Prime Minister's generous offer of seed to farmers whose sections have suffered by the ravages of the flames. This will practically deplete the market of all the popular lines. , POSITION IN TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH. February 25. Close inquiries by the Taranaki Herald reveal that., tliough a large area of country has been swept by fires, destroying fences, and in a few cases buildings and stock, and causing individual hardship, the net results will not be so serious as were expected, especially if the warm weather continues and gives the grass a good etart before winter. The settlers who have suffered are averse to anything like- charitable assistance, hut some will welcome Government loans to tide them over their present difficulties. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. WELLINGTON. February 25. The Government has instructed its surveyors to assist the Land Department's rangers in arjertaiining the amount of damage done by the bush and grass fires, with the object of having cases where assistance is needed dealt with expeditiously.