HEAVY BUSH FIRES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 69, 29 March 1913, Page 5

HEAVY BUSH FIRES

IN GISBORNE. FIGHTING FOR HEARTH AND HOME. (Per Press Association.) Gisborne, March 28. Bush fires have revived in several parts of the district, and with a strong westerly wind blowing to-day were making much headway. About Te Karaka this afternoon the air was heavily charged with smoke. One huge fire appeared to be in the direction of Run 47, beyond Otoko, where there are 15,000 cares of standing bush, which, it is feared, may have become endangered. The fire had been burning since yesterday morning, and today assumed very large dimensions.

Other fires were seen in the direction of Mangatu and Matawai. At Rakauroa the settlers are again fighting hard to save their homes and stock from destruction, but reports to-night indicate that the smoke is too thick to enable much to be done.

A Gisborne Times correspondent at Rakauroa, telephoning to-night, says the township is full of smoke, and the residents round about are just about driven out of their homes. There was, however, a strong promise of rain, which would, of course, save the situation. The fires are burning all round, and Graham’s place has been threatened all day, and, despite the efforts of the fire-fighters, the woolshed and outhouses are almost certain to be burned, though the house may be saved. “There is a big crowd at McLaughlan’s,” proceeds the correspondent, “but the smoke has got them beaten. However, the wool-shed has been saved so far, and is practically out of danger for the time being. Work is concentrated on the house. The fires are very bad at Matawai, too, but there is but little between Rakauroa and Matawai, except a few smouldering logs. If the rain which promises comes, we may be all right, but if it doesn’t there will be heavy loss, as the men can’t stand the smoke.’* • Oisborne, March 29. Heavy rains at midnight saved the situation in the Matawa district, where the bush fires were fierce and more exciting than those of last month. For some time Matawai township was endangered.