BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9041, 28 January 1908, Page 5

BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

J IN THE OPAKI, DISTRICT. THRILLING EXPERIENCES. The bush fires in the Opaki district are stiU burning, though not as fiercely as they' did last week t large area of grass, miles of fencing, and a number of sheep have been destroyed. The number of sheep lost ia not definitely known, as the settlers have been unable to muster their stock on "account of the fires. During the past fortnight the settlers in the district have had a very trying time, and some thrilling experiences have been reported. A few days ago about 400 acres of fallen bush on Mr T. Wyeth's property caught alight from a fire in the vicinity, and Mr Wyeth, with assistants, went to remove some sheep close by. They had mustered the sheep and were removing them to a place of safety, when they found that the fire, which spread with remarkable rapidity, had completely enveloped them. There was no course left to the musterers but to abandvn the sheep and dash through the flames to a place of safety. Tho slip rails in the paddock were taken down in order, to allow the sheep a chance to escape. There were 3,000 sheep in the paddock, but Mr Wyeth is unable to estimate his loss, as the fires have since prevented him mustering the sheep. He, however, does not consider that his loss will b<«. very great. He may have lost a few sheep, but he thinks that the majority of them will have "dodged" the fire. N Messrs Se'arle and T. Wyeth also had a thrilling experience on the property of the former. The fire suddenly broke out in some bush near a paddock which contained a large number of sheep. Mr Wyeth went to Mr Searle's, assistance, and togethar they mustered the sheep. However, before they could get them out of the paddock the fire had surrounded them. The smoke was blinding and red hot ashes were blowing in all directions. There was only one way of .getting the sheep out of the paddock,, was by "galloping" them out. .-TM smoke so stupified the sheep that a number of them jumped right into the fire and were burnt to death, sit was a terrible experience with the flames leaping up all round them and the smoke -almost choking them, but the two settlers pluckily stuck to their task and eventually saved nearly all the sheep. The fire destroyed a valuable plantation on Mr Searle's farm. Other settlers in the district had also trying times in rescuing their stock.

A settler remarked to a "Wairarapa Age" representative that the fire is the worst ever experienced in the Opaki district. He predicts that if a gale springs up the fire will make a clean sweep of everything at Opaki, and place Masterton in danger. He noticed some of the "live" ashes being carried by the wind for a consideiable distance and deposited in dry grass, which immediately caught fire. For several nights the settlers have had to keep watch in order to prevent their buildings from catching alight. FIRES IN THE NELSON DISTRICT. , BY TELEGBAPH —PKESS ASSOCIATION. NELSON. January 27. Saturday was one of the worst days for fires yet experienced. H. Bair gent's sawmill at Aorere with 20,000. feet of timber, Haldarie's dairy-, Bamham's house, together with a milking machine, tond F. Baigent's sawmill a 1; Pigeon Valley, were destroyed. Other settlers lost in various ways. The fires have revived in other localities. Sparks from an engine started grass fires at Wsi-iti and two thousand acres were burned." At Croixelles the settlers and Mauris had hard work to save the pah. The Takaka creamery was destroyed by a bush fire this morning. The building was not insured. Reports of destruction by bush fires, are still coming to hand. At Upper Tadmor a dwelling house of E. Phillips, jnr., was burned .on Saturday .evening. The fire is still spreading in. this neighbourhood, and the settlers along the line have packed their movable effects, and" are ready to leave at short notice. At Korere the country for, miles on each side of the road is ablaze. F. Newport's homestead at Korere is in great danger. The settlers are very anxigus owing to a serious.outbreak in that locality! A number of sheep were overtaken'by fire while being driven along the road at Dovedale to a place of safety, and were destroyed. McPhedran Bros', homestead at Kohatu was burned this morning. A large sum in bank notes was also destroyed. There was no insurance on the contents, but the building was insured for £2OO.