DESTRUCTIVE FIRES, WHANGAROA TO KAWHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2757, 15 March 1890, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES, WHANGAROA TO KAWHIA.

In no year has the record of fires beau so destructive as during the present summer and from all parts of the district each day brings its tale of lo3s and injury sustained. During last week at Mr Picken's place near the Hot Springs, the (ire which had been consuming the fallen bush spread and passed through his fine orchard, and it is feared the trees are much injured. .Further on, at the property of Mr Chilson whose house stands on a thirty-acre clearing, the fire spread from the burning bush entering the clearing, and with great difficulty the house was saved, Towards To Mat a, on the Kauroa Road beyond Mr Langley'a property, fires extended nearly two miles into the live bush ; further in, around Mr \V. tiibbison's homestead section, fires were raging and not only consuming the fallen bush, but travelling over the surface sown grass of last season and setting fire to the house under the doorstep, fortunately Mr' Lumber, engaged with Mr Phillips' survey party, saw the fire and at once took steps to subdue it. Passing along the road to Te Mata from Maungatawhiri Hill, we find destructive fires have been raging nearly all the way along the road past Te Mata on to Kawhia. At Mr J. B. Somerset's place on both sides of the road, and in the bush beside his house, fires were destroying the shelter bush. To the left of the road on nearer Te Mata, Mr Robinson had a most anxious time, the devouring element spreading around on every_ hand, and entering the fine orchard which, by great exertion, Mr Robinson saved from destruction, and also the buildings around, which were endanged. Nearer Te Mata tho fires became more fierce, and from Mr Nicholson's right through past the homestead sections of Messrs Jerome, Vernon, La Trobo Bros., Millar, and others, the fiery element swept with destructive force. At Mr Rrees', tha fine orchard was destroyed, along with nearly £50 worth of grass seed. The orchard had to be left to its fate, so that the house which had caught fire might be saved. This was happily effected after great exertioifc Mr Millar who lives further on, also lost a quantity of grass seed. Some sawn timber belonging to Mr Nicholson of Te Mata had to be buried in order to save it. Dr.-Bay's place too was all ablaze, the fire passing through almost every acre, burning everything before it, both bush and grass, the house fortunately being saved. Right along the road towards Kawhia, the fire has passed making a clean burn, consuming all before it. At the other side of the mountain at Wainui, on Saturday, on the property of Mr Mitchell, a destructive fire passed through the beautiful hanging bush opposite his residence, endangering a large quantity of fencing, but by the exertions of that gentleman assisted by others who came to render aid, the flames were subdued, and the burning posts were extinguished, a plentiful supply of water in the creek being at hand. Mr Mitchell was slightly burnt about the nose and face. Everywhere throughout the district the face of Nature is destroyed, where the bright evergreen bush was, is now nothing but a desolate waste. Two fresh files are now raging at Takapenui and out towards Te Mata. 'On Saturday evening a fire broke out iu one of the outhouses near Mr Vercoe's house at Karioi. Fortunately however, a good supply of water had been got ready for house purposes during the day, and the fire was soon extinguished, had it not been for this supply being at hand, nothing could have saved the house from destruction, several of the beautiful pine trees around were injured.