BUSH FIRES.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 235, 15 January 1898, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

o ENORMOUS DAMAGE. SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS THREATENED. MANY HOUSES BURNED. HEAVY LOSS OF STOCK. (P.Y TELEOEAriI.—OWN CORRESPONDENT). Wellington, Last Night. The bush fires which have been prevalent in the Wellington and Nelson provinces for some days arc now assuming alarming proportions. The spread of the fires to-day was so extensive that alt efforts to stiy their progress proved utterly futile. The extent of the damage done must he enormous. The result of tho conflagration has been to seriously interfere with the telegraph service between Auckland and Wellington. Paiiiatua, Last Night. The most disastrous fires known in this district are now raging. The railway station is in imminent danger of destruction. At the time of writing fifteen houses arc known to havo been destroyed in Scarborough, Mangahu, and Mungxtaenoko. The places burned include the Wesleyan Church in the latter place and the residence of W. McArdlee at Makuri. The district is a blaze, and many more buildings are sure to be destroyed. Tho loss of stock if tremendouß. Families who have been burned out of their hoir.es are flocking into Palliatua. Pahiatua is a rising bush district, on the railway line between Wellington and Napier, and is situated a short distance south of Woodviile, and a few miles east of the Mauawatu Gorge. The district is for the great part thick bush, with numerous clearings, and a number of sawmills, while dairying is one of the chief industries. Later. Six more houses at Ballance have been burned. A strong wind is blowing and the prospect is worse than ever. Blenheim, Last Night. Bush fires are raging about the sounds, and settlers at Mahui and Kenepuru Sounds are suffering severely. Ashton's house at Kenepuru, was burned down yesterday morning. The GreenHilla property hassufferedseverely, the fencing and some sheep having been burned. Settlers are lighting counter fires to save their property from complete destruction. The great fire in the Rai Valley is atill burning, and the surrounding country is enveloped in smoke. Nelson, Last Night. Bush fires a mile and a-half long are threatening the sawmills iu Waiii. Much fencing has been destroyed in the Matai Valley. Large areas of bush famous for picnic parties have beeu swept away, and much timber lost. A line of fire about two miles in length is raging between Happy Valley anclKannastown.

Traffic is very risky, and the telegraph line'was interrupted last niaht between Nelson and Havelock. To-day communication is cut off, and two linemen are attempting to repair the damage. Fires are raging in Hope Saddle, and the mail coach leaving Longford yesterday did not reach Belgrove till 9.15 p.m., over four hours late. It is doubtful whether the coach from this end will get through to-morrow. The weather is intensely hot, and the drought is serious.