MAIN TRUNK BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1918, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK BUSH FIRES.

STATEMENT BY RELIEF COMMITTEE, URGENT NEED FOR HELP, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Raetihi. March 30, The Relief Committee has issued the following statement: A number of people throughout the Dominion are somewhat at a loss to assess the amount of damage done by the recent fires, consequently they are unable to arrive at the amount which they feel they should donate toward ,1 he sufferers. The following information will be of interest:

Our sawmills have been completely burnt out, at each of which a large number of families were affected Nearly all the mill wliares are destroyed, and with them the whole of the furniture and ell'ects, representing in many cases the all of the workers.

In Raetihi township over fifty homes were completely wiped out. These homes were a tangible representation of \ears of pioneering toil. The insurances in all cases fall far short of the amount; required to reinstate them. The Crown Lands officers state that an area of 35,000 acres was swept by the fire, and in the vicinity of Raetihi 1700 acres of grass, representing a value of £20,000, have been practically destroyed, > bile 3000 sheep, valued at £50,000 (?) nave been burnt. Forty homesteads and a large number of woolsheds have been completely destroyed, also fencing to the value' of "£20,00fl!

The Efficiency Board, during its recent visit to the district, called for a report giving individual losses both of settlers and workers, and when this report is to hand a comprehensive statement will be given to the press of the Dominion. A strong committee of professional and business men has thoroughly organised the distribution of relief, and with the valuable assistance of a number of Salvation Army officers and \ M.C.A. men, are giving immediate, equitable relief to the maih sufferers. When it 1$ remembered that the Wainiarino is a baekblock district to which the host of the pioneers emigrated with a view to hewing homes out of the bush, that they have struggled for years, and alter those years of strenuous endeavor t'hev saw the light of financial stability ahead, yet in one night all their tail was rendered as nought, it is felt that people of the Dominion will realise there is urgent need for assistance, and that this will be immediately forthcoming.