GREAT BUSH FIRE NEAR WELLINGTON.

Those who resided on elevated spots in the city had an opportunity of witnessing a grand sight last night. The whole range of hills from the sea in the Makara District round to the Tinakori Road were aglow with fires. The darkness of the night and the northerly wind blowing added to the effect, and gave the scene a grandeur rarely witnessed in Wellington. The hills are covered with the decaying trunks and stumps of trees, and these, as time went on, became red hot and, aided by the breeze, gave oat a twinkling glare which was quite dazzling 1 to the eye. Scores of people, seeing the lurid glare high overhead, ascended the hills in the neighborhood of the town to witness the imposing sight. We learn from Mr. W. Finnimore that the whole of his station (Goathurst Farm) was Bwept by the flames. The fire came from the direction of Karori, through Mr. Monaghan's property, but it is not known how it originated. In addition to the timber being destroyed, all the fencing within reach of the fire was burned, and it is feared a quantity of sheep also perished, although it has not been possible yet to ascertain the full extent of the loss sustained. A quantity of timber lying cut in the watershed from which the city supply is derived was burned. During the night the house in which Mr. Fmnimore's shepherd resides caught fire two or three times, and the man and his family had to remain up all night in readiness to leave the spot. The fire was still burning to-day, and apprehensions are entertained that it will continue until it is stopped by the sea at Island Bay.