THE OHAUPO BUSH ON FIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2740, 4 February 1890, Page 2

THE OHAUPO BUSH ON FIRE.

THE TOWNSHIP IN DANGER. Thksk last two days our usually quiet village hae had a lively time. A h'ro that has been smouldering in Mr W. Huntur's bush for some time, favoured by the late dry weather and the unusual easterly wind, started on its destructive course and went rapidly through the bush On Friday afternoon it swept into Mr Edwards'tall tea-tree, burning a considerable quantity of stacked and burning wood. As it came to the mid of the lake, a bucket party stopped its further progress, water huing plentiful and a change of air assisting—the danger seemed over. But on Saturday the wind again began blowing strongly from the eastward the (ire travelling briskly up Mr Hunter's tramway into Mr Edwards' standing bush straight for the village. He at once despatched a messenger for the harvesters ; in the meantime a vain attempt was made to aave a largo quantity of firewood stacked at the edge of the bush. The buildings on the road, though at a considerable distance, now claimed attention, and none too soon. The roof of Mr Edwards' storo was discovered burning by his eldest daughter. Rushing up the stairs with a bowl of water, Mr Edwards kept the flames from spreading from a hole a foot wide till the two eldest girls had pumped aud carried a further supply, and assisted him in keeping the flames in check, which now began to burst out under the roof in other places. Unfortunately the ladder was away at the stack, and much time was lost, but by desperate efforts ■a hole was chopped through the roof by Mr Sittauer, who worked like a Trogan. Mr Edwards then scrambled through the opening, when he discovered the roof on fire iu several places, by this time a crowd of willing hands had arrived upon the scene, plenty of water being available buckets were passed quickly alr.ng and the fire was soon mastered. Messrs W. Graham, E. Lake and Cassidy had in the meantime mounted the roof of. the dwelling house and had secured it from danger by a plentiful drenching of water, the immediate danger to the store and dwelling house being over, tho willing helpers directed their nttuntion to securing the various out-buildings, and stamping out the burning grass iu the orchard. A careful watch was kept all night in case of a further outbreak, and water in plenty was kept in readiness. O.i Sunday morning a party was sent by Mr Edwards to further clear a track to the Lake and prevent the fire crossing further up tho road, and they succeeded in so doinc, but just as they were finished a great cloud of smoke arose in a patch of felled bush behind Mr Mear's house, the wind having a clear sweep rushed the dailies along with frightful rapidity. The English Church and tho buildings near it were now in danger from the Hying sparks and those with iron roofs were at, an immense advantage. Ths wind kept a pretty even direction from the South-East though the fire burnt back against tho wind to the edge of the bush. This part of the district is low-lying damp land with a strong growth of young saplings, which cnecked the fire and eventually it dirtd out in this direction. Iu the meantime the previous night's fire having a good hold of the main bush at the back, was now being driven in the direction of Messrs Kusabs and Karls, it swept clean through the bush, coining out in lv-irl Bros, grass, keepiue them hard at it to prevent further damage, Messrs Kusabs and their hands took up and curried out a considerable quantity of tramway, bntimany chains were destroyed. Messrs Karl Bros, are now damning up tlio drains, to try and stop any further damage to their now bush, which i.-j a valuable one. As I am now writing (Monday morning) the country is enveloped in smoke for miles in the direction of the wind.—(Own Correspondent.)