DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 8, 10 January 1903, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRE.

PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. ' Gisbobne, Januaty 9. The country around Morere is t-eiug swept by an immense bush fie. Several homesteads are surrounded by burning trees, Mr. Coop, a runholder, states that ho will be a h avy-loser as he Ins lost 3000 sheep and all his outbuildings, Mr, Jimei CLoper came through with a party of ladies, They had a thrilling experience, driving through fire and smoke for 14 miles. At times they were stopped by fallen trees. AN EXCITING COAOIJ BIDS, FAMILIES BURY FURNITURE. FLIGHT TO THE BUjH, Reassuring repor's as to the bush fires have been received from Morere. I It is believed thai: the loss will not bi neirly to great as at fi.et feared. Numerous exciting adventures are reported. The mail coach, which arrived from Morere i-his evening had a rough time, It left Wairoa yesterday morning, and all went well till Suheka township wxa parsed, but from theuc > to the Mori-re hot springs, the country on both s dec of the road was on fire. The heat w;f stifling, and tho smoke suffocating, it heing impossible tj sea anead, Big trees were f&lliug with a crash, terrifying the horses, and it was only by .careful driving lhat thej were perautded fcj ke-p on tbe track, The ooach reached Morere at 5 o'clork, Tbe journey to Gi«bo;ne w.,a continued this mortiing. The burning trets oa the track being removed, the coacb pushed through with a 1 hare, and it was lucky the driver did s->, as tha fir« sprang up again behind him. Fir s in the Mo'u distiict necessitated acme families burying their furni'u Inonecise the la lies hid to flea to the green bush.