The Bush Fires

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 239, 15 February 1911, Page 5

The Bush Fires

THE DANCER SUBSIDING. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE ASKEI). Tile hush fires down the coast have subsided considerably, and there is no likelihood of further damage to property unless another gale arises. The conflagration did its work very thoroughly, and has made a clean sweep of many farm*. In some cases even the sheltei hush has been destroyed.

The grass, and even the soil, is still burning, and will continue to do so until rain sets in. Rain is urgently needed, as no steps can be token to re-sow the clearings until after a day's heavy rainfall at least has quenched the fires. Settlers have had a very trying time, and many are quite exhausted with their efforts in combattin« their .vigoros foe. Never in the memory of those who have had much experience in bush country have the lires travelled so quickly. A member of one of the rescue parties stated that he thought one particular settler's place was safe for at least two days more, and yet within half an hour the fire had travelled on to it, and the women ..and children' had to hurriedly flee, gettingawav just, in ti;ney s»s a few moments later the road by which they escaped was a veritable furnace. Grass-seed is going to be a serious item, as an enormous quantity will be required at once if there is to be a sufficiency of feed for winter. In this connection Mr. Okey, M.P., who was at Rahotu yesterday, despatched the following telegram to the Premier at Wellington: "Considerable damage from bush fires in southern part of district, many farmers losing homes, grass, and stock. Can we l'cly on the Government for assistance in the same direction a.s that granted three years ago in most urgent cases." A reply was expected last night. Tt will be remembered that after the fires of three years ago the Government supplied grass-seed to the settlers, and allowed them lonsr credit. °

There is not much further damage to buildings to report, lmt the loss of cattle and sheep is considerable. It is stated that Mr. P. Cowling, on the Puniho road, lost 300 sheep. He discovered sixty dead in one heap. Mr. Duggan, on the Oponrapa road, lost thirteen of his millc cows, and numbers of other settlers lost calves, cows, or pigs. The report that the Opunake Company's sawmill, on the Knbui road, burned is confirmed. Rothery's also Tost their tram-line, and a water wheel and fluming. Mr. Hemingway, Kalmi road, lost some sheds, etc. On'the Itina road, Messrs. MeQuaig, Barrett and N. Simpson were the greatest losers of grass and fencing. Mr. C. Pepperell's property near Oaoiti was in danger for two or three days, but strenuous efforts bv Messrs. Pepperill, Webb, and others saved) the buildings. j

On the Opua road, various patches of country were badly scorched, and Mr. Bowman's house was burned down. The scarcity of feed had a marked effect on prices oflered at the weaner fair. Some of the cattle that were driven to the sale showed traces of their exciting experiences of tile past few days. The eyes of many of those who were fighting the fires were affected bv smoke, and several are unable to see vet.

1 he work of the rescue parties is very highly spoken of. Some of them worked until exhausted, and by their efforts considerable damage was averted. On Monday night watchers were still necessary in manv cases, and even last night this precaution was taken. NEWS FROM KORU. Writes our Koru correspondent:— The fires raging in the Upper Carrington road direction last week were fanned to fury by the westerly gale which sprang up about 9 a.m. on Sunday, and swept along the Plymouth road as far as Koru, doing considerable damage, the full extent of which is not yet known. Mr. J. Green's house had a narrow escape, having caught fire twice and being only saved by great exertions. An unoccupied house on the Plymouth road, owned by Mr. Cholwill Billing, was reduced to ashes. Whether it was insured or not is not known. Messrs. Mace Bros, lost a quantity of building timber that was stacked on the Plymouth road. Their new residence on the Te liiri road was only saved by great effort on the part of the owners. Mr. Burrow's house, also on the Te Kiri road, was in danger, Mrs. Burrows having an exciting time. The loss in cattle from fire and falling trees is not yet ascertainable, as from smoke and fire you can only breathe with difficulty. Mr. Mont Mills' house on the Petone road is reported to have been burnt down, and a man named Turkey, who attempted to reach there on Sunday night, is reported missing. ALONG THE COAST. (From our Waren Correspondent). My last report on Tuesday night of last week was to the effect that the fires were still raging with the heavy .southwest wind that was blowing, and on Wednesday morning it sprang up again, Mowing harder than ever. A lire starting from -Air. W. Smith's, on the Xewall road, soon cleared the whole of the farm, there not being a green blade of grass left. The house was in great danger. Going across the road, the fire swept Mrs. S. Jones' land, Mr. I*. I'utt's, and the back portion of Mr. <!. E. Julian's, who had had a dean sweep made a few days be fore of the front portion of the farm. All along the Carrington road the country is in Haines. On the Puniho road Mr. li. I'.lwin s place has had a clean sweep. On the Warea road and Xewall road on Saturday the creamery was in danger all day, the lires being ail around it. The (ires cannot do much more damage now, unless the wind turns and drives the lires back, as the whole of the farms on the roads are completely destroyed. Lt is feared some will have to sell their cattle. The following are those who have had their places devastated:—Messrs U. 1!. Smith, (!. i.. Julian, W. 11. Julian. I'. A. Putt (two sections). Those who have had a part of the grass destroyed are:— Messrs ,1. Duggan, C. Magon, G. P. Jones. J. Uiwn, T. Tobin, Mrs. Jones, mil others.

FIRES ROUND T ATI [APE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Taihape, February 14. Bush and grass fires are raging over large areas of country, and stock has been driven away. The loss of feed is serious. Strenuous efforts to figh'. the fires and to save property are reported this morning. There has been much damage done in the Ohura district, and unless rain comes soon serious results are feared. The telephone service is suffering.