THE COLONIST

PUBLISHED DAILY

Nelson, Saturday, January 9, 1886.

THE BUSH -FIRES.

With feelings of the utmost relief it will be learnt that the fearful fires which were raging from the Motupiko to the Buller are now subsiding. Shonly before twelve o'clock last night the Buller coach arrived in town only a few hours after time, and the outward coach, which had to put back on the previous day, was able to proceed on yesterday." Messrs | Newman deserve every credit for the manner in which they have endeavored to run their coaches through in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties. On Wednesday last Mr Thomas Newman was driving from Ribet's at the Hope, and he had not proceeded far towards Nelson when the wind drove the fire across the road. He was compelled to stop more than once, but at one point the fire was blown right upon the coach, and though he protected his face to some extent by holding his head down, his whiskers were singed and his hands were badly burnt, whilst the wheels of the coach were blistered by the heat. Further on, the fire was again blown towards tbe coach, and the horses were considerably singed, and Mr Thomas Newman had tbe greatest difficulty in keeping his team upon the track, whilst the smoke was so dense that it was difficult to see the road, and during the whole time the heat was suffooating. On this trip there happened to be but one 'passenger. Coming iv yesterday there were more passengers, but fortunately the fire had abated considerably. A great amount of damage has been done by the flames, which owe their origin to a couple of swaggers who lit fires along the road. Several telegraph poles have been destroyed, but that may be said to be the least of the damage done. Mr C. Thompson, who resides on the left hand side of the Clark Valley, going from Nelson had his outbuildings destroyed, and a horse killed by a falling burnt tree, aud a quantity of wool, as well as some implements burnt, whilst his house was only with difficulty sayed. At the Hope Junction, Mr Ribet's stable, which stand opposite the the bouse on the right hand going towards the Coast, were in great jeopardy, but were saved by means of strenuous exertions, Mr Ribet and others having to work for two days and two nights to protect them. The fire had not extended -much bayond Ribet's, but in the Motupiko, at Newport's, the homestead waß in danger, we understand, and the grass was burnt off tbe whole country. For thirty miles tha fire extended, and the picture of ruin to-day, where blackened stumps and utter desolation replace magnificent avenues of beautiful forest is pitiable. In the Tadmor .Valley, Mr Fawcett and Mr Anglesey are both heavy sufferers, grass, fencing, and forest having been destroyed by the fire. Yesterday rain had commenced in the districts about and beyond Spooner's Range, and we hope that sufficient has fallen there to stay any further progress of 'tha flames, thought in i Nelson the threatened rain has passed over.