BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 66, 18 March 1903, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

PBB FBSSS ASSOOUtnW. Napiib, March 17. A sp cial telegram from Makareta advices tbat large bush fires are Ngiog in tie Ashley Olintoo, Makareta, Blackburn and Wakarara settlements. Suveral settlers have been burnt out at Bl ickburn and one at Makaretu. Lkrn.

Ex'eosive bush fires are raging over all the district between D&onevirke and Takapau and inland to ICakarelai, asM.-y Clin tor, Blackburn, Norsewood, and o'her places. Considerable damage has already bi>en done to bouses and property, and, as there is a very strong wind blowing, fesrs are entertained that very much more damage will be done. The express train from Wellington was delayed ne»rly an bear and a half to-night owing to bush fires at Ormondville, and at Oamman's Siding, about three miles on the south side of Tak«p u, where the fire was so close that some of the sleepers on the line were burnt away. Btrtholomew's sawmill at Takapau his been completely destroyed, as aUo four cottages at Oamman's Biding, a bou e at Ashley Ciiuton, one at Mekaretu, a and woilsbtd at Blackburn, a woolshid at Norsewood. It is rumuurcd that a large hemtstetd at Noraewood has eUo gone. The full extent of the loss up to the present it is impssbib'e to estimate, as the smoke is so thick as to make travelling difficult, but unless rain comes shortly the position is likely to become serious. The scene at night is desoribed as awe iuepiriDg in the extr*me, the whole hirizon glowing wi<h fi<e as far as the eye can reach.