Serious Bush Fires

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 238, 13 February 1911, Page 5

Serious Bush Fires

j SETTLERS LEAVE TIIEIR HOMES. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE FEARED. The unusual spell of dry weather was responsible tor the outbreak of bush fires last week in various parts of the province, the southerly winds fanning and spreading the flames, and though the settlers living on the various roads near the mountain experienced a trying time, no damage of consequence was done, tho southerly dying away (it was tnought) in the nick of time. On Saturday, however, the wind again got up, this time with renewed vigor, until yesterday it assumed almost cyclonic force. Burning trees and embers were all through the bush districts, and they acted as starting points for what in a few hours became walls of flames which travelled at incredible speed through whole districts, overwhelming the settlers and devastating their homos, grass and buildings, and causing clouds of smoke almost sutfoeat* ing in eflect and impossible of penetra* tion.

The whole of the top end of Carring« ton road the country between there and Opunake arc more or less affected, whilst fires at latest reports were raging on the Kaitake ranges. It was hard to'get authentic information yesterday afternoon and evening as to the effect of the fires and the extent of the damage done. In the Tataraimaka district the settler* wer» driven in to the township at mid* day after having vainly fought the Uames for twelve hours. The cattle were turned on to the roada, and allowed to shift as well as they could iot themselves. The settlers are congregating .at the school house. Several buildings are known to have been destroyed in the neighborhood, including Mr. Woodmore's residence, but at five o'clock last night it was impossible to ascertain, even approximately, what the loss was. "You can't see your hand in front of you for the smbkc," said a prominent settler to our representative.

i'rom Oka to, Warea and Raiiotu comes information of trying experiences and great damage. The flr.es seem to have swept from Te Kiri on the other side of Mt. Egmont right down the coast, to be joined there by the flames from the Upper Mangorei, Carrington road and the ICaitakes.

At the top of Carrington road Mr. Symons' sawmill was surrounded by, flames early in the day, and can hardly have escaped destruction. Mr f W. B. Davies tried yesterday afternoon to reach his own property, but the blinding smoke prevented him from getting within two miles of it. He fears that hie three cottages have gone. For two nights last week he remained to protect his property, and thinking all danger over he returned to New Plymouth on Friday. He states that the whole country is a ma» of flames.

Messrs. Pepperell and Harrison, settlers about seven miles up the Carrington road, had a trying time, and are said to have lost considerably. Altogether the fires seerii to be the most serious we have had at this end" of Taranaki for many years. It is to be hoped that the losses will not be so severe as anticipated.