DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN THE FORTY MILE BUSH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 27 March 1894, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN THE FORTY MILE BUSH.

■ ' Mauriceville Endangered. ■ (From Our Own Correspondent,) F Maubioeyille, Monday. ' - For some time past the spread of bush fires , has been causing some anxiety in .the various centres of the Bush districts, and settlers have been in some measure prepared for one of ! ; those visitations whioh are always ! liable to.ocour in dry seasons, They | were scarcely prepared, however, for the destruction which the last few days' heavy winds hare brought upon I them. The fire fiend has been abroad in all his fury, and has left us some . sad mementoes of his devastating powers, Mauriceville West is ono of the oentres which has suffered most in this respect, and although fortunately no loss of life has to be chronicled tfiore has been some hair-breadth Escapes within the past few days and nights, On Sunday evening last tho fires " began to spread with alarming rapidity, and during tho night the settlement became surrounded with fire. Towards morning a large - dwelling house,'the property of Mrs Roigard, a widow living on the West rood, was burned to the ground, as TVollj|»tlio outbuildings, hay shed, including chaff harrows, etc. The poultry and pigs also shared in the general destruction, being roasted to a crisp, Mrs fioigard had twenty-two pounds in thehouse at the time, whioh wad also destroyed, The next victim was Mr H.M. Petersen, who had his dwelling house and all it contained destroyed, An unfortunate oiroumstance in connection with this.case is that Mr Petersen had allotved.bis insu'ranoe on the property to lapse only a few days since, Later on Mr Scow's residence shared same fate, including a rare colleot oi valuable books. Several other caught fire during the day, ' but were fortunately extinguished before the flames got mastery. Mr N.. Albertson loßt bis bay shed and hay, Mr P, Hansen met with a similar misfortune', Mr Lars Matsen also had his shed ajjd bay burned, while ttfo stacks of valuable hay, the properts of Messrs Eliot and Larson respectively wore both de« strayed. Mr J. Bannister suffered to the extent of twenty cords of firewood, Fenoing has been swept away for miles and stock have suffered terribly; but the extent of the- damage has not yet been fully ascertained, Hastwell . and Wiwaka settlements have suffered terribly, but the real extent of the damage is hot yet thoroughly known, . Altogether •it has been • the niopt the past seven or eight years, sympathy is felt for Mrsßoibarely escaped in .her night

garments, a!so Mr Petersen wliose children were with considerable difficulty : reaoued from the burning building. , Latest. i Bain commeuoed at Maunoeville at 3 o'clock thin morning, staying tho further progress of the faro. .