MANGAWEKA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9081, 22 February 1908, Page 5

MANGAWEKA.

(From Our Own Correspondent ) Blinding smoke and unbearable heat has been ou tho bill-of-fare in this part of the Eangitikei district during the past fortnight. The country is cooked—fairly roasted—together with a great number of cattle and sheep. Almost everywhere you look desolation stares you iu the face, the winds seem to play with the fire, for an hour or two it will blow one way, and then suddenly change round and blow iu the opposite direction, thus keeping the unhappy settler continually on the alert, to save his “forty years’ gathering.” The appearance of the sky seems to say “there is not a drain of moisture left in me, so don’t rely ou me for water for all time.” Still, after everything is summed up, iu this district, where some fabulous prices have been given for land, we are not nearly so unfortunate as onr brother settlers further north iu the Waimarino.

Messrs W. McOoard, McKay, Turnbull, R. B. Hammond, E. Geauge, and many others have had a very anxious time, most of their outbuildings, hay, etc., having been reduced to ashes. Mr J. O’Keefe was less fortunate, having lost his house, outbuildings, and grass. Those who are in the habit of turning stock into the different scenic reserves in and around Mangaweka might take a word of warning in time. It is the intention of the ranger to keep a sharp look-out for such intruders, and without respect of persons, the owners may be hailed before the Magistrate, when it will cost them the price of a head or two; not a profitable investment. Many local athletes and their friends ,-ffom this way intend journeying to Marton on the 17th March. The train arrangements are suitable and a good day’s outing is ensured.

An alarm of fire was given about 5.30 last evening and residents were racing down the main street, where it was found that Mr D. Campbell’s billiard room and tobacconist shop was ablaze. A heavy breeze was blowing at 7 the time and water being short, it looked at first sight as it tho whole block iu the vicinity was doomed, but undaunted, the firefighters got to work and found water somewhera, and with the aid of fruit tree sjiray pumps, buckets, and anything that would hold water, managed to stay the outbreak. It was a marvellous deed. The roof and ceiling of Campbell’s hairdressing department was a mass of flames, and a vast cloud of smoke was making its way skywards, but the fire brigade stuck to their task, and this morning the building stands at present with the roof off and the inside gutted. Stocks and furniture from Messrs H. Carter (jeweller),' Officer and Co. (land agents) and Summer’s (private-resi-dence), were all removed in quick time to a place of safety. Cheers that *were well-deserved and wellearned broke forth from the onlookers'when the fight had proved successful. Had the fire not been noticed for another few minutes a serious conflagration would have occurred. ‘

Reports from Rangiwahia this morning say that bush and grass fires are gradually creeping nearer r,he township, and the dense smoke is very trying.