DISASTROUS BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 5

DISASTROUS BUSH FIRES.

GISBORNE'S EXPERIENCE.

A CAMP SWEPT BY FIRE.

(Per Press Association). Gisborne, Friday.

The position rearding fires is much easier this morning. At Matawai, Sloan's sawmill lias been wrecked and a good deal of valuable timber destroyed. The new hall owned by Peacock and Co. at Te Karaka has been destroyed by fire. The insurance was £4OO in the South British Office.

At Motu things are pretty warm today. There are fires "around Kirk's mill and Hall's mill is also endangered. Drummond's mill was dismantled this morning,. Several settlers had a most strenuous time protecting their properties. J. B. Clark is a very heavy loser of stock. The fire is now a mile away from Mata-' wai township, and the wind is blowing strongly in that direction. The residents are feeling anxious. Matawai railway camp was-swept by fire. The women and children were hurriedly removed. The sawmills are in great danger. A sharp shower of rain at eleven o'clock gave r, temporary cheek to the five. The loss ef stock is very scvious.

FIRES NEAR DANNEVIBKE.

Da'tnevirke. Friday

Settlers in Puia Rna and Piri Piri set- . tlements hare bad an anxious time during the last few days. Bush fires arft-, raping' through both block* and have occasioned considerable damage to property and stock. The full extent of the damage is not yet ascertainable. Buildings on the properties of A. YarralJ, F. Tamil. P. and R. Fairbrother, Sullivan. Douglas and Morris, at Run Ron, and Aylward's at Piri. Piri, have been 1 destroved. The 7ain last, night checked,, the flames temporarily, but the gale t blowing again to-day makes the posi-, tion serious.