AUSTRALIAN HEAT WAVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1902, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN HEAT WAVE.

TERRIBLE HAVOO WROUGHT BY FIRHS. PER PREBB ABSOOIATIOV. Sybnet, December 31. The bush fires round Qundagai are the severest ever experienced in the district.' TLe d->m«ee is estimated at over £IOO,OOO, besid s immense areas of grass, 5000 acres of standing crop, thou-ands of bags of wheat, and several thousand head of sheep and hundreds of horses and cattle being turned. Many settlers have been burned out aod have lost everything. Aided by the gale the fire swept across country with teirific speed, and it was impossible to check it. Numbers of people had barely time to escape, taking refuge in creeks and dam«. Several era reported missing, but tbey may be taking refoge. In the Juoee district, Wantabadgery station lost 40,000 acres of grass and several thousands of sheep, maDy selec- | tors bong ruined. In the Oorow«, Grenfell, Orange, Hunter River, Hiwkesbury, Pic'on, and other , districts the fires caused great destruction, and in some fruit growing districts much damage was done to the orchards and vineyards. For days the fires were raging in the Blue Mountains, presenting a magnificent spectacle. Some famous beauty spo'e, including grand bush scenery 'round Leura Falls, are ruined. At Penritb, Spriogwood and other centres a number of bomes are reduced to ashes.

Latest reports state that thunder showers helped to check tbe fl<mw in various districts. In ethers tbey are still spreading.