DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN SOUTHLAND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8721, 23 January 1907, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN SOUTHLAND.

Press Association. Inveucaroii,!., January 21. Bush fires continue to rage at Seaward Bush and round about, and heavy masses of smoke drift continually across the sky. At Otatara the settlers have been fire lighting for days and work is almost suspended. Eobert Martin, who recently took up a Government section at Maple Grove was burnt out yesterday afternoon a four roomed house being almost completely destroyed. Thu house was uninsured. It is said the settlers in this locality are passing through a reign of terror. Women join the men in fighting to save their homes.

Wallace's mill at Hcdgehope has been completely destroyed. It is believed to be insured, but particulars are unavailable. Practically the whole of Seaward Bush, from Georgetown to the Gorge lload, a distance of 19 miles, is on fire.

The Tisbury sawmill, owned by Fairweather, and cut out about two years’ ago, was demolished along with four houses in the vicinity.

The railway station at Tisbury was destroyed, and a bacon factory built of brick threatened, the skylight igniting seven times,

Miles of fencing have been burned, and Broad and Small’s sawmill, between Tisbury and Waimatua, and Timpany Bros’ sawmill at Waimatua are completely destroyed with chains of tramway. John Timpany and Richard Lloyd, who were protecting a bridge, had a narrow escape. The fire surrounded them but they made a dash through the bush, finally taking refuge in a waterhole, where they kept the flames off by throwing water on the surrounding bushes. After remaining three hours they found a way to the Woodlands tramline, where they were picked up exhausted by a party with a tr-olly. At Tisbury two men, trying to save a quantity of oats and chaff, were in great danger and had to fly for their lives. A lad driving a horse and dray through the bush had to remove the horse and abandon the vehicle, which was burned on the road.

The evening train from Invercargill was unable to get past Tisbury. The sawmills are insured, but the amounts are not definitely ascertainable Timpany lias £3OO in the Commercial Union, and he estimates bis loss at £ISOO

It is reported that two men are missing, but there is no confirmation of the report.