BUSH FIRES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 456, 22 March 1890, Page 4

BUSH FIRES.

DESTRUCTION BETWEEN WHANGAROA AND KAWHIA.

In no year has the record of fires been so destructive as during the present summer, and from all parts of the district each day brings its tale of loss and injury sustained. During last week, at Mr Picken’s place, near the Hot Springs, the fire which had been consuming the fallen bush spread and passed through his fine orchard, and it is feared the trees are much injured. Further on, at the property of Mr Chilson, whose house stands on a thirty-acre clearing, the fire spread from the burning bush entering the clearing, and with great difficulty the house was saved. Towards Te Mata, on the Kauroa Road beyond Mr Langley’s property, fires extended nearly two miles into the live bush ; further in, around Mr W. Gibbison’s homestead section, fires were raging and not only consuming the fallen bush, but travelling over the surfacesown grass of last season and setting fire totheheuseunderthedoorstep. Fortunately, Mr Lumber, engaged with Mr Phillips’ survey party, saw the fire and at once took steps to subdue it. Passing along the toad to Te Mata from Maungatawhiri Hill, we find destructive fires have been raging nearly all the way along the road past Te Mata on to Kawhia. At Mr J. B. Somerset’s place on both sides of the road, and in the bush beside his house, fires were destroying the shelter bush. To the left of the road on nearer Te Mata, Mr Robinson had a most anxious time, the devouring element spreading around on every hand, and entering the fine orenard, which, by great exertion, Mr Robinson saved from destruction, and also the buildings around, which were endangered. Nearer Te Mata the fires became more tierce, and from Mr Nicholson’s right through past the homestead sections of Messrs Jerome, Y’ernon, La Trobe Bros., Millar, and others, the fiery element swept with destructive force. At Mr Brees’s, the fine orchard was destroyed, along with nearly £SO worth of grass seed. The orchard had to be left to its fate, so that the house which had caught fire might be saved. This was happily effected after great exertion. Mr Millar, who lives further on, also lost a quantity of grass seed. Some sawn timber belonging to Mr Nicholson of Te Mata had to be buried in order to save it. Dr. Bay’g place too was all ablaze, the lire passing through almost every acre, burning everything before it, both bush and grass, the house fortunately being saved. Right along the road towards Kasvhia, the lire has passed, making a clean burn, consuming all before it. At the other side of the mountain at Wainui, on Saturday, on the property of Mr Mitchell, a destructive tire passed through the beautiful hanging bush opposite his residence, endangering a large quantity of fencing, but by the exertions of that gentleman assisted by others who came to render aid, the flames were subdued, and the burning posts were extinguished, a plentiful supply of water in the creek being at hand. Mr Mifccholl was slightly burnt about the nose and face. Everywhere throughout the district the face of Nature is destroyed : where the bright evergreen bush was, is now nothing but a desolate waste. Two fresh fires are now raging at Takapenui and out towards Te Mata. On Saturday evening a fire broke out in one of the outhouses near Mr Vereoe's house at Karioi. Fortunately, however, a good supply of water had been got ready for house purposes during the day, and the fire was soon extinguished. Had it not been for this supply being at hand, nothing could have saved the house from destruction. Several of the beautifulpine trees around were injured Waikato Times.”