BUSH FIRES IN SOUTHLAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8339, 23 January 1907, Page 5

BUSH FIRES IN SOUTHLAND.

Z TWO MORE SAWMILLS DES- : TROYED. MILES OF FENCING AND TRAMWAY RUINED. A LIGNITE PIT ON FIRE. POSITION [BECOMING SERIOUS. A PLUCKY LAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, January 22. Bush fires are still burning at Seaward Bush. Two more sawmills have-been completely destroyed. The Southland Timber Company's Kapuka mill, on the Waituna Lagoon, was destroyed on Monday night, and about the same time McCallum's mill at Asher's Siding was burn 3d. Ten cottages situated in the vicinity were involved in the destruction. Two bridges near Kapuka, constructed by the Southland County Council, are down, and miles of I fencing and tramway are ruined. The position at Raymond's lignite pit, which has been burning for a week, is getting serious. The seam runs under the Seaward Bush Railway, and unless the fire is checked there is a danger of the line collapsing. A head of water has been turned on the fire, and a special gang of railway men were sent out to-day with fire-fighting appliances The heat from bush fires brought down the telegraph wires at Wai'matua, and twisted the rails on two sidings. Railway communication has been restored. Only one mill is left in Seaward Bush, where last week there were six. The fires will probably result in 90 or 100 men being put out of work. Orepuki shale works were threatened on Monday, tlie fire coming within a few yards, but a band of settlers put the fire out. All the water for miles around Invercargill is tainted with smoke. A lad, caught in the bush carting wood, pluckily hacked the horses free with an axe while the dray was burning. -