DISASTROUS BUSH FIRES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1913, Page 6

DISASTROUS BUSH FIRES

SETTLERS’ HOUSES DESTROYED (Per Press Association.) / ", Dftnnevirke, February 13. The high wind raging last night and to-day fanned the bush fires into activity, and the town and district are enveloped in thick smoke. The settlers at the Kufheti block, near Dannevirke, are having an anxious time. Unless the wind drops extensive damage is probable. The residence of a settler named Young has been destroyed. Rasmussen’s homestead it reported to have been burned. Other settlers are fighting hard to their places. the fires are still raging, but rain is threatening. SERIOUS OUTBREAK IN POVERTY BAY. . rcr. Gisborne, February 13. The settlers in the Mangatu country are experiencing a most anxious time. Grass and scrub fires have been burning for the past four or five days, and fanned by the recent heavy winds these have got beyond control, with the result that about fourteen miles of country was reported 'to be ablaze this morning. Some of the settlers have been battling with the flames continuously without sleep for the past two Or three days, several of the homesteads 'being threatened. Mr Tufnbiill’s place "is reported to be in the most critical situation, the 'fire having come up from the back, alnd With the change of wind has surrounded the homestead.

At Whatatuhi to-day the atmosphere was so thickly charged (with smoke that it was impossible to see more than 100 yards, and it \vas impossible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. As far as could be learned the fire was burning on Okaihau (Messrs Petti e, iWry and Waitangiroa (Wi Pere Trust), Aotearoa (Messrs Kells and Turnbull), and Waiter© (Mr H. D. Buchanan). The conflagration is now confined to grass alone, but fanned by the heavy westerly gal© it has swept across the country, taking fences or anything in its path. It is not known at this stage what stpek losses have occurred. The wind is still blowing hard at intervals and rain is urgently required to extinguish the flames.

This afternoon Gisborne streets were enveloped in thick pungent smoke, which smarted the eyes and tjckled the throat, while traffic at a distance of lOOyrds was practically obscured, and the sun hung like a great red ball. In the early morning the grassy slopes of Kaiti Hill, adjacent to the town, caught fire, and a strenuous time was spent in battling with the ' flames, which appeared at one time as if they would threaten the Kaiti freezing works at the foot of the hill. The fire originated in a tent occupied by Messrs Neal and Duncan, and the sparks set fire to the dry grass of the hillside. The slaughtermen and others at the Kaiti works abandoned their knifes and hooks for wet sacks, and accomplished good work. Meantime the many parties who were camped on the beach took the alarm, andi many quickly demolished their temporary houses and all available carts were called on, ahd soon set out in procession townwards with loads of furniture. The fire was ultimately suppressed about 4 p.m. THE POSITION IMPROVED. Gisborne, February 13. The wind having dropped, the position of the country districts where the bush fires were raging is better this morning. No estimate has yet been formed of the losses of stock. The settlers having been baffled by the smoke. The fire is easily the largest that has yet occurred in the district.