BUSH FIRES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9076, 17 February 1908, Page 5

BUSH FIRES.

BAD REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY. Press Association. Wellington, February 15. Reports from _Raetihi state that the Orautoha alley and other places in ■' the Waimarino district have been swept by fixe and are now a wssto Messrs Mosen (2), Naim, Spence, Patterson, Oox, Gosnell, Oontts, Harris, and Kerr have been burned clean out; woolsheda and other buildings, grass and grain seed, are all destroyed; many persons' are suffering from the effects of fighting the fire, and some are said to be blind. Reports of farther loss are still coming in. There is urgent need for Government assistance, as many of the victims are ruined. Stock in great numbers has been destroyed. A strong wind is blowing and the outlook is still serious. Taihape had no telephonic communication with Waimarino until late this afternoon. The last information from Ohakune is that fires are burning at Rangataua, and the position is still critical. Last night the fire came within 200 yards of Ohakune, and threatened Orowther and McCauley’s new stables and other buildings. The fires are still ravaging Horopito, and the danger is not half over. The grass along the river near Taihape took fire this afternoon, and attacked a dwelling. The Fire Brigade and borough roadmen all turned to. Little water was available, but after a hard struggle the/flames were subdued. Later reports from Baetihi state that the town is surrounded by fires, occasioning great alarm, as in the case of. a gale from the south the place would fare ill. Settlers have lost heavily in stock, grass and fencing. One settler ®had his cattle burnt in their yard, and others are heavy losers. In the Ohura alley the settlers had a big fight, the fire bursting upon them through green macracarpa. One house was saved with extreme difficulty; then the fire ran through three properties, devastating all. Mr Dickson lost 400 sheep and all his grass. At Waipuna the position is critical. Mr S. Gould’s house was burned, also the men’s whares. Messrs Meek and McOombie’s wool sheds also went, the latter losing his wool as well.

It is 'reported that not an acre of grass is left in the Waipuna district, settlers considering the small fires in January saved Waipuna from total destruction on the Pipiriki road. The situation is grave. The fires burst through a green bush and swamped four holdings, the residents having to flee. The losses in sheep here are very heavy. There are big fires on the Hukoroa road, but no damage is reported. The Manganui-Aoteao settlers lost heavily, especially in stock. Some houses went. Horopito is surrounded by flames. No further loss is yet reported. The road is almost impassable, owing to smoke and heat. Raetihi, townspeople are digging holes in which to bury their effects in case things come to the worst. Reports from Mataroa state that Mr J. Oliver’s house is gone. * A newly-erected bridge for Smith and Donald’s mill has gone, and the mill has closed down, in order to repair the damage to the tramways. Quite thirteen homes have been burned around Raetihi. Most of the properties were uninsured, meaning heavy losses to the settlers. The fires are still burning at Matara, attacking a fresh block now and then. There is a big blaze on the hills adjacent to Taihape, sending up volumes of smoke. The Tekapua settlers are anxious owing to the proximity of the fires, and general alarm is felt throughout the district. Auckland, February 16. Oparau has suffered Immense damage. One estimate gives the total loss sustained by the settlers at fully £30,000.Feed has been destroyed in every direction, and, as a result, the Kauroa dairy factory will have to close down within the next few days. In the Okete portion of the district, through burning furze, !the flames took possession of a large tract of open country, and it was with much difficulty that Miss Wilson’s and Mr Norman King’s flaxmills were saved. Messrs Pegler Bros, had the misfortune to lose the best of their grass —some 350 acres including last year’s sowing. Mr J. Belcher and family had to desert their home at Kauroa and seek shelter at Ragla’’ owing to the fires surrounding house, which, it is believed, been destroyed. A Dargaville telegram s’ the Okapakapa Swamp afire, and a large quar been destroyed, the Harding. The Oturei S also ablaze, r natives has At Bu sparks gine lan i T’

'“The fire swept in one sheet of flame ' from ’ the creamery on the Main South Road like a roaring furnace. The settlers in the Kawhatau district bad a had time, and it was only with great difficulty the school was saved. la the Waituna district the fire started at Messrs McLean Bros. ’ arid considerable damage has already been done. Practically there was fire almost ■everywhere between Rangitikei and Rivers. : lAtAwahou South Mr,C. Bailey’s property of about 1000 acres was swept by the fire, which had been burning on the farm for six weeks. Mr A. Keeble lost most of his fencing, and Mr Akers’ homestead was in imminent danger. Mr J. H. Jackson lost a number of stock,; and 700 acres of his - farm were burnt. Mr McCarthy’s.place, was-a mass of fire, awhile Mr Handley had had a very badgtime. The fire, starting from his farm .traversed the'reserve along the road, spoiling a lot of beautiful scenery and. valuable totara. It then spread to Mr Uidsbury’s farm, and though toe stock was saved, the fences ana grass were all burnt. Palmerston N., February 17, The Makerua Swamp was on fire on Saturday, but it was confined to an'area of about 60 acres of young flax, which it destroyed. The grass fires in Pohangina Yalley broke out with renewed energy on Friday and Saturday on Delaware Flat and Upper Pohangina. The flames swept through the greater portion of the large Government reserve, doing great damage. So far the loss of stock is not great, but the position is serious. Settlers consider that should a strong northerly blow the fire will sweep the whole counThe fires in Manawatu Gorge are still burning on both sides, but no serious damage has been done.