GREAT BUSH FIRES. THE TOWN OF STRATFORD IN FLAMES. TEN MILES OF COUNTRY ON FIRE. SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE. (BY TELEGRAPH "Satr" CORRESPONDENT.) Stratford, January 11.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 137, 16 January 1886, Page 5

GREAT BUSH FIRES. THE TOWN OF STRATFORD IN FLAMES. TEN MILES OF COUNTRY ON FIRE. SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE. (BY TELEGRAPH "Satr" CORRESPONDENT.) Stratford, January 11.

The fires which reached the township yesterday have done damage not yet to be estimated ; but at the present time the nura- ' ber of houses known to be destroyed is 29. The whole country is covered with dense smoke, which envelopes overything, obstructing the view for more than a few yards in any direction. Prom the entrance to the bush at Normanby, some ten miles from here, all along the railway line there is nothing left but smouldering fires, which need but a puff of wind to fan them into flames, and work further des- 1 truction. Hourly burnt out familios arrive telling of more disaster. The eyes of those who are resident in the district are more or less affected by the smoke, and some are temporarily sightless. A special train came from Hawera last night, and took away women and children supplementary to those who had already proceeded to Hawei*a safely by the ordinary evening train. At 5 this morning another special arrived, and has just returned. At present there is no wind,butit is anticipated that nothing short of heavy rain can prevent further damage. The fires once isolated, now continuous, cover an immense area. In the township proper the town hall is totally destroyed, and the fire had temporary hold of Curtis's store, and seized for a time the stabling at the back of Tutty's hotel. Nothing but a providential change of wind turned the flames. The people are many of them panic stricken. As the morning train came from Hawera, men who had spent the night in some creek with fires preventing their exit until daylight were picked up. The abi-entees are returning to their homes anxioufcly inquiring for news, and in many cases disaster had to be told of.

One Family is Missing amidst tho dense smoke, and search is impossible. At present, however, no Jives are absolutely known to be lost. One woman was taken by train wringing her hands in despair for the loss of her children, who are, however, believed to be cafe. The following is a list of those who are entirely burnt out . — Northcote, Sharrock, Hunter, Stanley, Dorman, Taylor, Moore, Hare, Woodroffe, C T. Saunders, Stanford, Leichman, Kennedy, Kirkpatrick, Hayes, and Brannigan have all lost their outbuildings. Standing and Turner, contractors foi a bridge, lost all the squared timber, and. everything in the tents but a few shillings, and the barrels of gum picked up in the debris. The local insurance agent is lying down xhausted, and blind form the smoke, hence the paucity of the present details.

Insurances. The town hall was insured for €150 in the Standard ; Peter Hunter, £100, Standard ; Northcote and also Hanley are insured, but the amount and office are nob known. There are 30 houces and building's now burned. It is impossible to attribute the fires to any one origin, but in the township it is asserted that a rata log has been left burning for some days closely contiguous to the Town Hall. These are but the dry outlines, but the heart-broken expressions on women's faces tell of losses which means impoverishment to all, and complete, the details of which, when told, must bring unusual sympathy. The women and children were all taken to Hawera, but some have returned only again to go back to safety. They are restless away, and homeless when here. The complete list of names of losers will follow. January 12, It is my melancholy duty to say that the list of sufferers is greater than at first reported, the total being 34. The following are the details : Kennedy, a quantity of cattle ; Hill Brothers, house ; Baird, out-house ; Smith, Mehaffy, and Pitts, each total loss of houses and outbuildings ; Christensen Bros, and Petersen, tents, blankets, and tools ; Tatty, fences, wire, and cow-sheds ; McDavitt, house and everything; more new houses and timber for building ; peaches, everything ; contractors on Nolans Bush, tents, tools, and equipage. In the case of Mr flassell, he removed his furniture to the creek ior safety, leaving the house empty, with the result thac the latter was saved and the furniture burned. Milree lost his slaughteryard, and Curtis his slaughter buildings and kerosene store. The road bridge over the Kahouri stream is all right, and the railway bridge over the same is at present safe. A considerable amount of money was lost in Stanley's house.

A Family Missing. Leihan, and his wife and family, are miss^ ing. They were seen at home last evening" but this morning the house was a stnouidering ruin, and the inhabitants away. Tracks were seen leading from the place, so it is hoped they will turn up. The difficulty ot finding a way through the dense smoke is extreme. The weather remains calm It must not be supposed that only this year's felled bush is burning. Logs which have lain for years through the winter and summer have become tinder dry during this abnormally hot season, and a spark ignites them. The very roots of the grass and trees burn in the ground. The country is enshrouded in dense emoke, no flames being at present visible; but last nigbt a lurid glare pervaded the scene for miles, and seen from Normanby an angry red glow appeared to stretch from east to west along the horizon for miles, telling of the extent of burning country which is invisible to those at Stratford. Moore Bros.' insurance is £100 in the Standard.

The Missing Family Safe. Leihan and family escaped with their bare lives, and as I write news of their safe refuge with a neighbour has arrived.

How Fire May foe Caused. Mr W. H. Brightwell writes to the " Hawera and Normanby Star " under date 3rd January i—"li — "I had a narrow escape today of being burnt out, and as the origin of the fire occurred in a very peculiar way, 1 wiah to give the readers of your paper an account of it. Early this morning several new milk-pans were washed and stood upside down on top of each other in a standing position towards the side of the house As the sun arose a reflection of heated light was cast upon the weather- boards, and whilst the members of the family were busy preparing the midday meal, a peculiar smell of fire was noticed, and a search

was immediately made to discover its whereabouts, and after a diligent search we discovered the tire to be where the milk pans were placed, the fire being caused by the reflection of the sun on the boards, which were quite charred and black, and a small stick which ntood between the pans and weather boards was half burnt in two. Had we been away from home at the time, I feel quite sure our dwelling and its contents would have been reduced to afches. The peculiar smell was caused by new paint. I have no doubt that many of the mysterious fires that take place, especially in fields, where pieces of bright machinery are carelessly left about amongst dry stubble or straw or near stacks, have their origin in a similar manner. " Normanby, January 11. The calm weather is continuing at Stratford, and no more casualties are reported. Your correspondent walked down the line four miles to Ngaire, where the smoke was as bad as ever, but although surrounded by fires, no houses had been burned. I have taken the train for Normanby Around Eltham, and indeed the whole way through, the same state of things was observed, Fives are burning everywhere, but as yet no buildings are destroyed. The weather to-day is overcast, and rain threatens. Subscriptions are being raised for the dcs itute, and clothing is being made for the partially naked. New Plymouth Fire Brigade is now stationed at Stratford with the engine and hose The bush fire is still raging at Stratford A telegram has just been received in town asking assistance. It states that the wind is rising, and that thirty-four houses have been burnt. The Mayor has ordered a special train to take the fire engine and Fire Brigade to the settlers' assistance. A subscription has been started in town in aid of the sufferers.