ANOTHER TOWNSHIP IN DANGER Houses Destroyed at Midhurst. New Plymouth, Jan. 12.

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

ANOTHER TOWNSHIP IN DANGER Houses Destroyed at Midhurst. New Plymouth, Jan. 12.

A special despatch to the "Taranaki Herald " says Midhurst is in danger, and requests more help from New Plymouth. A special train is required to get the women and children into town. Although the Mayor applied at noon yesterday for a special train to go to Stratford, no permia sion was received by the station-master to run one till nearly five o'clock. The railway authorities are being condemned right and left for the obstruction put in the way of pending relief, The extent of the fire is four miles towards Mount Lin, five miles inland, twelve miles towards Hawera, and two miles towards Inglewood. Two or three premises near Midhurst (a town three miles from Stratford) have also been burnt There have been many escapes and heartrending scenes. The destruction to property is fully £10,000. The fire is said to have commenced afresh this morning at Midhurst. There are no pigns of rain, although the glass is falling here. The people at Stratford could not understand why no help came from New Plymouth. The railway authorities here could not be stirred, and the Fire Brigade had to wait till the regular 4 p.m train went. A public meeting held at noon for the purpose of arranging to provide for the burnt-out sufferers at Slratford was largely attended, and over £300 were subscribed in the room. A special train goes at one o'clock to Midhurst with a large force of volunteers to help. Inglewood, about 10 miles from Midhur3t, is all right at present. The fire brigade are at Midhurst.