A DISTRICT ABLAZE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 17 February 1913, Page 5

A DISTRICT ABLAZE

IMMENSE FIRES IN POVERTY TiAY. HUGE AREAS SWEPT. HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK AND BUILDINGS. (By Telegraph. —Fress Association.) jG-ISBORNE, Last Night. Ik Reports from the back-blocks go to m show that practically the whole of the hinterland of Poverty Bay is ablaze, or is threatened with fire. In addition to an area of about fifteen square miles which is burning round 'Matawai, tho fire extends to the north and west,'far beyond Motu, while the back country round Tokomaru Bay is also sseriously affected. Telephonic and telegraphic communications beyond Matawai is impossible, as the wires are down, but the correspondent at Motu of the Gisborne Times, writing on Saturday morning, stated that on Thursday evening the bush fires which had been raging in tho adjoining areas, favoured by a strong wind, came right down to the river bank, and until 10.30 on V Friday morning Quirk's sawmill, Mrs C. Hansen, and Messrs Tyerman, Elliott. M. P. Thomson and Johnston's residences were all in serious danger. The timber at the mill caught 'several times during the night, hut the flames were quickly extinguished by willing workers. On Friday morning fires were raging all round the mill, when a heavy shower of rain .fortunately put a check on the flames. On Friday night the danger was considered practically over, and the many worn men who had been engaged in the fight to protect property were enabled to obtain sonic sleep. At Tokomaru Bay serious losses aro reported. Messrs Gray Bros.' homestead, and all other buildings wore ■destroyed, while a lot of stock perished and miles of fencing was burned Wpi. Mr R. Kemp also lost much stock and fencing, and Messrs Saxloy and Cotte-rdl fencing. Although at present in this distiict tho fires show no signs of abating, there is no anticipation of further serious damage. At Matawai. which is in the heart of a. raging furnace, the fires were still burning freely this morning, and settlers are exhausted. <Tt .will bo impossible to secure reliable reports from this district until after to-night.