THE BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9038, 3 March 1908, Page 5

THE BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

IN THE MANGATARERA VALLEY.

MR THOMPSON'S HOMESTEAD BURNT.

MAURICEVILLE SETTLERS' HEAVY LOSS.

The fire which filled the town with smoke on Sunday, and which was located in the beautiful Mangatarera Valley, along which visitors to Mt. Holdsworth have to travel a considerable distance, was very destructive. The residence of Mr Thompson, familiar to all visitors to Holdsworth as the last stopping place before reaching the mountain house, was burned to the ground, and three alpineers, who were returning from' a trip to the summit, had an exciting experience in connection with the fire. Mr Webber and his eon (of Cole Street) and, Mr Carson were induced to stay at Mr Thompson's on Sunday on arcount of the fierceness of the fire on the road between the homestead and the open country. During their stay the fire came towards the homestead, and it was deemed advisable to remove the furniture to the creek. Some of it had been removed when the fire reached the house, which was soon consumed, and the party bad *o take shelter from the flames in the river bed. Mrs Webber, who was in Masterton at the time, was anxious regarding the safety of the party, and communicated with the police, but not long afterwards Mr Carson arrived in town. Heavy rain was falling in the Mangatarera Valley yesterday morning, and this will doubtless effectually check the further progress of the fire.

A Mauriceville resident states that a fire was burning fiercely yesterday afternoon on the property of Mr H. Dagg. Mr C. Lang's property of some 1,200 acres was completely swept, and he is reported to have lost six hundred sheep. Mr Rutherford has also lost a number ot' sheep, and a quantity of grass. A sprinkling of rain fell on Sunday and yesterday. ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE.

The spectacle presented by the fires in the country bordering on the railway line near the summit of the Rimutakas on Saturday night was magnificent. The flames were so fierce and threatening that a large gang of men were despatched from Cross Creek to keep the fire away from the Government cottages which house the railway officials. The wind was blowing with some violence, and an anxious time, was spent. However, the fight of the railway hands was successful and the cottages were saved. The northern slopes of the Rimutakas were still burning yesterday afternoon, but the dangrer to the summit buildings was practically over.

DAMAGE AT DANNEVIRKE

DANNEVIRKE, March 2

Bush fires broke out in the Awariki district on Sunday, destroying a large area of grass, the whole of one settler's stock and a large quantity of timber belonging to another settler. Refreshing rain fell for two hours, and checked further trouble, but more rain is wanted.

IN THE CARTERTON DISTRICT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) . On Sunday the fires, which had been burning on the slopes of the Tararua Ranees for the past week, swept down on to the lower flats at Dale'field and did considerable damage. At about three o'clock in the afternoon the properties of a number of settlers were swept by the fire. The Carterton Fire Brigade went out and assisted the settlers in fighting the flames. Several miles of fencing were destroyed, and a house occupied by M«* Chas. Arcus, and belonging to Mr T. S. Arcus, was burned to the ground, together with the outbuildings, containing farming implements, etc. The fire swept over the property of Mr C. Sayer and destroyed a number of fruit trees and shelter bush. Mr Saver had a very trying time in removing his furniture, as he feared the destruction of his house.

The fire swept over the properties of several other settlers, destroying timber and grass. Towards midnight a heavy gale sprang up from the westward and drove the flames towards Carterton, and the outlook became very serious. Luckily rain fell shortly after midnight and checked the fire somewhat.

The settlers of Daleficld were fighting the fire for the most part of Sunday night. The settlers have never experienced such a trying time before.

Much alarm was felt at Carterton during the gale, and residents were afraid to retire to rest, and kept watch in the firo endangered the town.

SERIOUS FIRE IN THE EKETAHUNA DISTRICT. SETTLERS HAVE A TERRIBLE TIME. • BY TELECIiAPII —PHESS ASSOCIATION. EKETAHUNA, The fire at Putara commenced to look serious on Saturday morning. At Foote's mill the men have been working night am] day since Thursday clearing the ground round the mill. The hose was constantly turned on surrounding buildings. Seven men made a desperate fight, and on Saturday evening a relief party of settlers found them exhausted. Some were lying on the ground blinded with the smoke. Fires, driven by a strong northwesterly wind raged fiercely throughout the district on Saturday and Sunday, and a large amount of damage was done. Popplevvell's sawmill at Kakakihi narrowly escaped destruction, three cottages adjoining being destroyed. The sawdUvSt and slab heap are still burning, and should a wind spring up the mill might yet go. The fires are particularly bad in the Atea district. Gardiner's sawmill in this locality was completely destroyed, together with the adjoining

cottages. A good deal of gear was saved. Some timber valued at £7O was burnt. The owner anticipated closing up the mill this week, as the timber is cut out. Mr Le Grove, in charge of the cookhouse, lost all his belongings. The settlers experienced an awful I time fighting the fires, and many are partially blind.

At Putara the settlers went through a thrilling time. Many lost heavily. The employees at Poote's mill worked strenuously for five hours to save the mill in intense heat. At midnight on Saturday the cottages caught fire and were all destroyed. The mill was eventually saved. Several miles of tram line were destroyed. On Sunday the fire spread towards Alberthsen's mill, and this was soon aheap of debris, nothing whatever being saved. So fierce was the fire in the vicinity that three young men who were in charge had tin greatest difficulty in escaping with their lives. The settlers in the Putara district, besides, undergoing trying experiences, have lost heav'ly. Hundreds of sheep and young cattle are lying about dead or dying. Nothing could live in the inferno, even rabbits being roasted alive. Help from outside was impossible, as the fire swept across the road for miles. A'lad, who was sent to on Saturday evening, for bandages and lotion could not get back till mid-day on Sunday. The settlers left their homes and took refuge along the bank of the Mangatainoka river. Rain set in at 3 a.m. on Monday, and relieved the situation. Copious rain fell intermittently throughout the forenoon, ai;d the danger from the fire is now practically all over. Gardiner's mill had been kept working night and day cutting the logs on the skids, and these were removed by waggons. When the logs were cut men commenced to dismantle the mill, ar.d most of the machinery was got away before the mill caught fire.