FIRES AND GALE.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 March 1918, Page 5

FIRES AND GALE.

SEEIOUS .BUSH FIRES .RAGING.

TREMENDOUS DAMAGE DONE,

Last night, the wind which had been more or less gusty during the late hours of the afternoon, increased in violence, until shortly after midnight it had developed into a storm of almost hurricane force, which reached its maximum velocity about 10 o'clock

this morning. In Taihape the damage done was comparatively light, • and nothing serious has been reported beyond the levelling of a few fences and the unroofing of a few outhouses and sheds. Some trouble was caused in the early hours of the morning with crossing of electric 'light lines, but this was quickly rectified.

RAETIHI ALMOST DESTROYED

BURNT BRIDGES HOLD UP MAIL

TRAIN,

THE WHOLE COUNTRYSIDE ABLAZE

At one o'clock this morning, the sky to the north of Taihape was tinted a rosy red over an extensive portion, bearing evidence to the existence of. a big conflagration along the north.em end of the Main Trunk Line. On making inquiries this morning it was , found that log fires which had been smouldering for some days past had been freshened up by the gale, and that during the early morning the fire had crept into the outskirts of the township of Raetihi, and it is authoritatively reported" in Taihape that town had been completely destroyed by fire, the railway station being the only building of any consequence left. This much, however, is certain, that the Post Office was burnt to the ground, and with its destruction all chance of telephonic and telegraphic communication was prevented. Shortly after 9 o 'clock communication with Ohakune was cut off, but not before word was got through that serious fires were raging all over the country side, and that the railway line on both sides was in some places on fire. Around Rangataua the fires were burning fiercely, while between Ohakune and Horopito, the conflagration was particularly bad. Word was also Vought in that the Auckland-Welling-ton mail train was held up at the viaduct near and further that a railway bridge to the south of the viaduct was on firc < It was very difficult to get any word through, as soon after Ohakune was cut from telephonic communication, the local burnan informed us that Waiouru was the farthest north that could be obtained, and this later in the day was shortened to Hihitahi. The local telephone lino overseer early in the day went out nqrth to see what the extent of the damage was, and take steps to reestablish communication. At time of writing both telephone and telegraph lines are down to the north. At Ruanui Mr.-W. Brenner had an anxious time during the night, as the fires from burning logs had spread and endangered his However after hard work this danger was averted. SOUTH OF TAIHAPE. SETTLERS HAVE AN ANXIOUS TIME. . .'it was seen shortly after eight o*cloc£ this morning fires were raging sout||aof Taihape in the direction of Tao*fl|, as a dense column of choco"-late-coloured smoke mounted to the sky r ; On the Tadroa Road the fires were very bad, and the settlers thereabouts had. a very anxious time. At

Mr. Robert Campbell's place the fires were very threatening, and it was only by the most strenuous endeavours that he saved his sheds and outbuildings. Mr Jurgen's place was also endangered by the proximity of the fire, and Mr. Hart and others had an anx-, ious time in getting their sheep to a place of safety. Mr. W. Prime was up practically the whole of the night transferring his stock from the fire zone. The mailman from Taihape to Taoroa had to return on account of the fire. AT RANGIWAEA. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. MR. ROSS A HEAVY LOSER. Our correspondent at Rangiwaea telephones us that the Rangiwaea district is also visited by the fire fiend. The gale freshened up during the evening and this morning was blowing great guns,' livening up the smouldering logs, and the fires are spreading fast. Fires started at Mr T.'Bradley's house, 'but after great efforts this was extinguished, but he lost his shed, trap, arid 20 cases of benzine. The fire then' spread to Mr. Colliers, who lost a stack of oats and fourteen cords of firewood. But the greatest loss of all was Mr. Ross's, who nad his home woblshed, and most of his stock "completely destroyed. The fire also broke out in Birch r s section, and his woolshed has gone up in smoke. So far Pungataua is all right, and will remain'so unless the wind changes. All the settlers in this district are extremely anxious, and they are hoping for the wind to drop or rain to come. To show the rapidity with which the fire spread during the night, it travelled fully fifteen miles, licking up everything in its path. Back of Mount View and Pungataua the country is simply a mass of flames. On telephone enquiry, we learn that Pukeokahu district has so far escaped the fire, and there are no anticipations of any trouble in this direction. Along the road and railwayn line to the south of Taihape the country is covered with dense smoke as far as Marton. One motorist who had urgent business succeeded in getting through to Taihape by driving through the suffocating smoke at .a good speed, with his electric lights burning.

FEILDiNG ENVELOPED IN SMOKE

TOWN IN UNCANNY DARKNESS

FEILDING, this day.

Feilding is completely enveloped in smoke, and there is an uncanny darkness. All lights are being used indoors, and motor cars are using headlights. The sun is not visible at all. Evidently there are bush fires, though not in this district. There is a tremendous gale blowing. AT WANGANUJ. SEVERAL PLACES BURNED. WANGANUI, this day. A big bush and grass fire is raging inland of Kai Iwi, and at the Wanganui water supply works, fanned on by one of the heaviest gales experienced. It is spreading towards Kai Iwi. The telephone office at Okehu water works was destroyed. Some settlers had a strenuous time saving their properties. Only meagre details are available. The Presbyterian church at Westmere was lifted bodily off its blocks by the gale. The town and whole district is shrouded in a dense pall of smoke, extending far out to sea. . ; ~

IN OTHER DISTRICTS.

DARKNESS IN WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON .this day.

Large bush fires are raging in the \ north-east country districts, and the' city is enveloped in a thick cloud of smoke, so dense that the atmosphere is distinctly tinted and lights obscured to such an extent that offices were compelled to use artificial, illuminantis.IN THE WAIRARAPA. SCHOOLS AND FACTORIES CLOSED. CARTERTON, this day. Carterton is densely enveloped in smoke Business places are. using artificial light and factories have been closed as it is too dark to work. The schools in Carterton and district were closed and the children sent home, The smoke lightened .at 11 o'clock and conditions are becoming more normal, though the smoke is still dense and hurtful to the eyes. CONDITIONS IN MASTERTON. MASTERTON, this day. Masterton was enveloped in almost total darkness this morning. Up tili nearly 9 o'clock the sky was bright red, and for some three hours clouds of smoke passed overhead and ashes fell. Work was suspended for some time owing to the darkness. A heavy gale is raging, and conditions were .returning to normal at 10.30, though the town is enveloped in dense smoke..

GISBORNE RAIWAY STATION

GUTTED.

GISBORNE, this day. The Gisborne railway station was partly gutted by fire this morning.

LATEST PARTICULARS RELIEF TRAINS FROM RAETIHI ' r' JsT f . TO OHAKUNE. BRINGING IN THE HOMELESS. Further particulars are now available which show that Eaetihi, if not completely burnt out, has had a serious ;oonfiagratios aadVShtf Railway Raetihi to Ohakune, bringing in those who have been rendered homeless. Unfortunately their number is very conpartment is running relief trains from fortunate suffers from the sister siderable.

Tjho, ids a* 'ptock round Kaclihi is appalling, 'thousands of sheep and hundreds of cattle are reported to be incinerated. The people of Ohakune are ( doing what they can for the untownsnip. At 'NgarukeTiu the ftire was al&o a serious menace, and though no actual losses have as yet been reported) the settlers have had a very anxious time. At about 2.30 a pall of smoke settled down on Taihape, evidently indicating that the fire was extending down the line. Either rain or drop in the wind is devoutly to be hoped for. . There was a rumour in town to-day that eight lives had been lost, but so far as wo can learn there is no truth in the rumour.

The express train is held up at Taonui viaduct, where a connection will be made but the time of its arrival at Taihape is unknown It is reported that Syme's, R. W. Smith's, Carter's and the Feildmg Sash and Door mills have been destroyed, but this has' yvt to be confirmed. The Powell Process works at Rangatauau have been total! v destroyed.