SERIOUS BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 42, 17 February 1903, Page 2

SERIOUS BUSH FIRES.

Per Press Association, Rec«ivedl6, 10.2 p.a Stomit, Februaryl9. As an ou'come of the dry weather and in some cases by the oareUn use of fire, serious bush fine are raging in various p%rts of the State.

At Nelson Bay the fire destroyed never it farms, and swept through the cemetery. The fire ii still burning and approaching telegraph lines. Three farms were demolishel at RoAwell, the fire bting started by boys while rabbiting. At Dungog the fire swept close to the town, destroying the grinds'acd and shed at the raoecourse. The Ohurch jof England and rectory buildings were saved after a fight, but the flames spread to a residence ceir the raoeand dastroyed it. The hospi a', containing a numVr of favor patient?, was sav*d vit t difficulty. Hundreds of h r«es and oittle |5 impeded itito the town.

As thej day advanced the wind grew stronger acd drove th« fire into tho siurh end of the township at Hacleys Oretk, a few miles sojth of Dorgog. Che people being terror-jtrtoksn abandoied their homes to tha fhmes.

In obutrass to thi->, in i>;oeedingly cold snap is ooaurring at Rnndra *here heavy soow is fi'liug to-day arid < b? glass stands at 35.