BUSH FIRES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9033, 21 January 1908, Page 5

BUSH FIRES.

SAWMILLS IN DANGER. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. TAIHAPE, January 20. The bush fires, which have been raging in this district for some time past, assumed seriotfs proportions [ yesterday, when sparks set fire to j the bush in the vicinity of the sawj mill. The Manawatu Timber Company's mill near Taihape was in grave danger last night, its destruction seeming unavoidable. Fire is raging ali around the other mills similarly placed. The Pukanana Company's mill, on the Mataroa line, is in danger, but so far the wind is keeping down. This morning's reports state that no damage had been done to the plants or buildings of any mill, but the situation is still extremely critical. Fires are raging at Ohakune, threatening mills and other buildings, but no loss is yet reported. The mills at Winiata and Utiku are closely pressed by the conflagration, but so far have escaped. The country is extremely dry, and in the event of no rain and high wind it is considered that many properties must go. Watchers were kept up at all the mills last night.

FIRES IN TARANAKI. TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. SETTLERS HAVE AN ANXIOUS TIME. ' NEW PLYMOUTH, January 20. During the past three days high winds carried fires through this district, and big losses of fencing and grass and bush is reported.

The settlers have been in a state of great anxiety owing to *.he rapid spread of the fires. Word--was received to-day, from Rahotu, that a six-roomed house belonging to ('. J. Smith, of Rahotu, and occupied by Geo. Earl, was destroyed. The . Gpunake Sawmill Company had. twenty <cha]ns of tramway destroyed|jpt.thevmill escaped, though it is completely surrounded by. fire. A big shed on a farm, owned by R. Morrow, was destroyed, but, though the house caught fire twice, it was saved by strenuous exertions. A message from Uruti states that Masker's residence, with all its contents, was totally consumed by bush fires on Sunday night. .

AND FATALITIES. «

LOST OVERBOARD.

TWO PERSONS DROWNED.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, January 20. News has been brought to Waiuku by a native that Captain Rage, of the steamer Freetrader, was drowned at Point Waikato last night, It is believed that he slipped and fell overboard. The Inspector of Police received a telegram this morning stating that Alfred Neahi, a sawmill hand, who was one of a picnic party, which crossed the Waikato bar yesfSrday, was lost overboard on the bar wh n returning.

FOUND DEAD. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. STRATFORD, January 20. Allan McCorkindale, an enginedriver, employed by the Public Works Department, was found dead in bed at Huiroa yesterday. Deceased was a married man. His wife and family are supposed to reside at Hokitika. , GORED BY A COW. \ BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ASHBURTON, January 20. Edward Martin, employed on the Lagbmohr estate, was gored in the stomach by a cow and badly injured. A FATAL FALL. " I'.y TELEGIIAni —phess association - . WAIROA, January 20. A man named Thomas Corbett fell over a cli/T at Waikara. a distnace of 150 feet, and was killed instantly. It is supposed that he missed the track in the dark.