BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9030, 17 January 1908, Page 5

BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

FEARS FOR THE WAIRARAPA PLAINS.

Grass and bush fires are still raging all round Masterton, more particularly on tbe Western side, along the Tararua Range, between Mount Bruce and the Maungatarere River. Judging by the" smoke arising yesterday, from the range a considerable stretch of country seems to be ablaze. The town was enveloped in a thick haze of smoke all day, and this, combined with the great heat, j made the day most unpleasant. At night the hills presented a beautiful sight with the myriads of lights scattered over them. A rumour was current in town, last night, that the Miki Miki school house had been destroyed by fire, and it was also reported that the accommodation house, which had recently been erected on Mount Holdsworth, had fallen a prey to the flames. This, however, lacks confirmation, but if true, it will be a "severe loss to the committee, who have spent a great deal of money and energy in doing their utmost to make the trip to the mountain popular for visitors.

A SAWMILL DESTROYED. MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN SURROUNDED. BY TELEGBAFH— PEESS ASSOCIATION. DANNEVIRKE, January 16. Gamman's Rakaiatai No. 2 sawmill, near Mokotuku, together with whares, stables and cookhouse, was burnt to the ground this afternoon. Two men got through the fire and report that three women, three children and thirty men were encompassed by the fire, and had no food or water. MUCH DAMAGE DONE IN NELSON. " BY I'ELIXIRAI'H - PRESS ASSOCIATION. NELSON, January 16. Bush fires continue in various parts of the district, and much damage to crops and fences is reported. The Wa Iti correspondent of "The Colonisf'sta'es that the range of hills between that place and Belgrove is a blackened mass. Another fire has started in a Government reserve, at the head of Trass Valley, near Wai Iti. The shortage of water throughout the district is becoming very serious. Well water sources and springs, on which settlers are dependent, are now exhausted, and unless rain comts soon the position will be very grave. The milk supply is falling off to an alarming extent in consequence of the dryness of the pasture?. At Haniey Brook, Mr [Wilkinson's property was swept by fire on Wed - nesday. The oat crops and homestead was saved \vith difficulty. Two bushmen's camps, with contents, were destroyed.

BY TEfcEGBAPH —MESS ASSOCIATION. CARTERTON, January 16. The bush on the Tararua range of hills is still burning, and if the fire reaches the plains the grass in its present dry state will all be destroyed. At Booth and Co.'s mill in the bush the hands are standing by night and day to fight the fire and save property. Nothing but a downpour of rain will bring relief.

THE CASHMERE FIRE.

CONDITION OF CARETAKER MOON.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 16. r ' Mr William Moon, caretaker of the Victoria Park, who was badly « burned in yesterday's grass fire on the Cashmere hills, is progressing - favourably at the hospital."

FIRES IN THE WHARAU DISTRICT.

Serious bush and grass fires have occurred over a large portion of the Te Wharau district, and a great deal of fencing and pasture has been destroyed. Mr Douglas, of Land's End, lost a number of sheep, whilst fencing has been destroyed right through as far as Flat Point station. A cottage on Mr R. Bairer's property was also burnt down.