HEAT AND FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7714, 17 January 1905, Page 2

HEAT AND FIRES.

HOT WAVE REACHES NEW ZEALAND. Extensive Damage in Nelson Province. (Per Press Association.) NEI.SON, Jun. 1«. Collingwood reports that extensive bush fires wore raging yesterday at llninlmm, Bonny Doon, and Knitunn. Considerable damage wos done, sufferers losing rather extensively in the destruction of sheds, etc. The dwelling of Mr B. Kemp, at Bonny Doon Valley, was burnt down, as was also a slaughterhouse owned by Mr W. Allan, ut Dainhaiii, and the sheds of Messrs Tyrce nnd Hewer. At Kaituna, Mr W. Grant, sawmiller, was a heavy loser, all his milling plant and buildings being destroyed. Only a small quantity wus saved, by dismantling the mill. The mill tramway and standing bush also suffered. Far back in the Bonny Boon Valley Messrs Longford and Keoghan lost everything but, their dwelling. Mrs Keoghan, by mistaking the track in escaping from the house, lost her way in the bush, and was only rescued at one o'clock this morning. Baigent's hush was extensively damaged. Fires arc still burning everywhere, nnd the danger is not yet over. The district is enveloped in dense smoke. The fires originated in the annual burning of hush. At Puponga on Fridny a scrub lire did much damage, and the mine was shut down for several hours to enable the miners to assist In fighting the flames. Two miners' tents were destroyed, and several miles of bush is damaged. WARM WEATHER IN WELLINGTON, Fires in the Bush. WELLINGTON, Jan. 16. The heat is very oppressive—92deg in the shade. There are several bush fires, but no special damage has been reported. IN AUSTRALIA. Better News from Victoria. MELBOURNE, Jan. 16. The heat wave has broken, and a cool change, with light rain, is fairly general. (Received Jan. 17, 0.211 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 16. Heavy \raia has spreud from Queensland to Northern New South Wales,; and in the southern districts it is lighter- from tho Victorian border.