THE BUSH FIRES.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 March 1918, Page 4

THE BUSH FIRES.

the eaetihi losses. With the subsidence of the fires in nnci around Eaetihi, sonic estimate 0.l the damage can now bo arrived at. The latest list of residences and other buildings demolished in and around the town as near as it is ascertainable is as follow: Messrs. Ashmore’s, Wallace (and stable), Pratt, Manlson (.probably), J. Wilson, T. S. Fagg, E. Bennett, E. Hughes, S. Gould, E.. Brown, also stables and sheds), H. Jenkins, J. McCica, Stanley, three new houses being built, A. J. Parkes, W. H, Tustm, J. Shaw, J. Harris, Drury’s Sash and Door Factory, T B, Haydon, Cotholic Church, P. G. Smith (empty house), Church of England, and Eev. Mr Eobinson \ Vicarage, jackfeon’s Sale Yards, J. L. Thompson, C. Matrin, T. Brady, G. Anderson (butchers shop, dwelling, all plant, including machinery, carts, etc,,) D. Anderson* T, Quayle, W. Boddmgton, County Coun-e-il offices and stables, Mrs. ,D. H. Cameron, H. H. Davis (carpenters shop), Town Board Offices and storerooms of electrical plant and other property, W. W, Purser, A. Smith, Nurse Llynn’s Nursing Horae, Morris, Hopper, C. Harris, D. H. Fryer, several huts in this vicinity, J. Coker, W, Farrant, A. Sykes, Fagg Bros., store and dwelling house, Eaetihi Dairy Factory and dwelling, Police Station and residence, and two small huts unoccupied

The Ohakune Times, writing of the fire, states: The cyclonic disturbance lifted the roofs off the houses and off the Drill Hall, hurled an eight hundred gallon tank from Mr. P. J. Smith’s now cottage across the road and landed it at the back of Messrs. R. Wilson and Go’s premises a distance of about three chain, and sent sheets of iron flying about as though they were paper. In addition to these disturbing happenings the night was very dark and a thick pall of smoke hung everywhere throughout the town #

Constable McGowan was in the back country, on oiiicial duty and returned about 3 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon He also had a very exciting time on the return journey. He estimates that the area of country covered by the fire extended from Mangat^ti, to Kakatahi, a distance of about 60 miles. The following is a list of,, some of, the properties known to hp,ye. been destroyed. On the Ohura and-.adjacent roads; Messrs. E, A t Wallace, Berry, Ellery, Hansen, Pratley, and- Meehan (partial losses), Scarrow, Pedersen and Bolton. The fire swept the Middle road properties. On Pipiriki ~'rpad Messrs, Hoddle and May.

THE AKEESTON FATALITIES A PATHETIC EPISODE. A sad scene was disclosed to the* view of the party under Constable McGowan, of Eaetihi, when they went out to Mangaturoa to Messrs. Scott and Connor’s property yesterday to bring in the bodies of the late Mr and Mrs. Akcrston and child. On arrival they found the homestead destroyed and surrounded by half consumed logs and smouldering trees. The air, even at that time was heavily laden with 'moke. The bodies of the unfortunates nere found about 150 yards away from the site of the house, and the position of the charred remains told a pathetic story. From all appearances it would seem that Mr. and Mrs. Akcrston had been driven from their house by the smoke and flames, and endeavoured to j find refuge in some green bush nearby. The fire came raging through this bush, and the unfortunates were overcome by the heat and smoke. When they found that death was imminent. and in an endeavour to save the child, the mother clasped the little one to her breast, and sank on her husband’s knees, while ho, with his arms around them endeavoured to save in em from the fiery furnace, which finally enveloped them. It was in this position they were found by Constable McGowan, and the charred remains were removed to Eaetihi, where the inquest was held. One of the spectators of the sad scene, remarked that it was the most pitiful sight he had ever seen.

Mr. Akcrston was about 30 years of age, and lie and his wife were very popular in the district and were highly respected for their many sterling qualities

The station of Messrs. Scott and Connor is about 6 miles from Raetihi, ard Mr. Akerston has been managing it for the past five or six years. A THRILLING EXPERIENCE. Mr Frank Michin, who is a neighbour of the late Mr. Akerston, had a very very exciting time. As soon as the fire reached his place, he made a beeline for the river and fater a dangerous drop of 30 feet, reached the riverbed. He then waded and swam for half a mile up the river, the fire at the time raging all around him. Half blinded by smoke ho eventually reach-

ed a tree which had fallen oyer the river. After resting hero, awhile he sought refuge in Mr. McArthur’s house whs-re he found nine bushmon and several families, -who h«'d : been :• • drjjfen. there by the fire, INCIDENTS OF THE FIEE. It is remarkable how some places escaped destruction. An instance is given in the Eaetihi district where a man wps working at the, bottom of his section, when the fire swept through cutting him off from his house, where his wife was. The fire bore down, on the homestead and woolshed. T3*6 <>'(

wife, nothing daunted, got to worried and after considerable exertion saved both. ’ ’-j' l '

Another case is reported where a man whose house was already alight, the fate of which seemed sealed, abandoned it and - went to his neighbour’s asistance and later in the day returned to his own home, expecting to find that his house had vanished. Much to his surprise and delight, he found that beyond burning a large hole in one -wall the building was intact.

In the Parapara district the fire went right through, doing consider--able damage to fences and caiftmg heavy loss of stock. Up to time of writing no definite information was available.

The fire passed through the Pukekaha district, causing severe loss to several settlers and destroying some ( stock. Mr. Cox’s homestead was burned to the ground • *./• ‘ In conversation with our representative at Raetihi yesterday, a manager of one of the banks, with an intimate knowledge of the district, estimates the loss at about £250.000. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, is in Raetihi, and had several conferences with representative men and others who had suffered’ severely the by fire, and desire was that any assistance rendered should take the form of long-dated loans on easy terms rather than of charity. THE SAWMILLING LOSSES. OFFERS OF OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE Mr. M. M_ Carpenter, Manager of the Rangitikei Co-operative Sawrniller’s Association, has received from sawmillers all over the Dominion telegrams of sympathy with millers in the devastated area. Mr. Carpenter is asked to convey to all Main Trunk Sawmillers and settlers their deepest .sympathy, and to inform them'that all assistance in their power will be available in whatever way it is required. Sufferers are kindly asked to accept this notification and to send whatever reply they may wish to make to Mr Carpenter, at Taihape.

•• By the destruction of the nine sawmills on the Main Trunk line about 300 sawmill hands have been deprived of their homes and employment. The shortage of timber coming on the market will total about 900,000 feet per month until operations recommence. Mr. Syme lost a stack of cut timber valued at £S00(