TERRIBLE BUSH FIRES IN HAWKE'S BAY. GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier,Tuesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2103, 31 December 1885, Page 2

TERRIBLE BUSH FIRES IN HAWKE'S BAY. GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier , Tuesday.

]3ISH fires still continue to spread in all dnectioni. and almost hoiuly leports airive of homesteads burned, Htock dehtroyed, and Lugo tracts of grass laud devastated. Smoke hang 1 * over the country like a black pall, makiug it nearly as dark as night, and it is impossible to ascertain definitely the damage done iv more remote dUtuctd. The township of Makatoku is Miirmnded, and to-day fifty volunteer fiieinen, with engine and other appliances, left Napier for that township to endeavour to cavo property. Government gave free passes to tho memen, and ran a special train, When the last train left Makatoku at? two o'clock to-day, the country was obscured by Mnoko. Nothing could be seen, but it w«« known that at least twelve houses in and near the township, aa well as Goodries' largo sawmill, had been totolly destroyed, and news was brought of fiesh fires having broken out. The Hei aid's special cuncspondent at Makatoku telegraphs at ten o'clock to,night, that the Bngade and the engine ariived at a qu.uter to nine. There was at tho tune of the despatch ot the message no wind, and the me was not hprc.iding, but feais were entei tamed that if the wind lose again tho railway station and many other buildings would go. The schoolhouse is threatened, and the fire 1-, raging round Parsons' mills, but communication is cut off by the fire. Very little water was available, and the Brigade were utterly unable to ope with the tire, which is raging over an area of six square miles. The hienion ure.it present directing thfcii attention to saving the buildings most threatened.