A RACE FOR LIFE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2824, 13 April 1882, Page 3

A RACE FOR LIFE.

An occurrence took’.place in the foreston Saturday, which nearly resulted in the loss of several lives; including Mr Wheeler, M.L.A. A fierce bash fire ■was raging on one of the ranges "from which logs were being obtained for Mr Wheeler’s mill, and that gentlemen was riding round , to seie hqw matters stood, as he was aware that there were men out with a large bullock team, towards whom the fire was quickly -advancing. In following up one. of the tracks, he met the team coming down with a heavy log of timber. The fire was rabidly approaching from two points and an attempt was ,made to get the team and waggon out of the way. The <l chock, which had been placed in the back wheels had, however, caught against a stump, and all efforts to draw it were fruitless. On came the flames, and the only course ■ left was to, release the bullocks, and leave the waggon. This was done, and then ensued,. a retreat, but the animals became stupid from fear, and it was with the_ utmost difficulty they were driven into the gully, the flames being so close behind them, and the smoke so suffocating that the escape of the men was a matter of the greatest difficulty. As soon as I these were on their way, Mr Wheeler

I who was on • horseback, took the track for it, but had not proceeded far when he found that the trees and dead tiipber on both sides were on fire. His danger was at once apparent. To return was impossible—There was no alternative hut to go through the burning timber. The animal was urged with voice ‘and spur, and then ensued an actual race fot life, the imminent peril of which can be fully recognised only by those who have been near our forest fires. Fortunately both horse and rider emerged from the ordeal with no further harm than a good « warming ” both inside and out. Search •was then made for the other men, when it was'found that they had managed to get out of the fire by having luckily crossed' its course. On subsequently returning to the waggon for the purpose of obtaining the. ironwork, to the surprise of all it was found that beyond being charred in one or two places it was comparatively uninjured, though the bark on the log was still burning.— '• Daylesford Advocate.” ...