FIVE-MILE FRONT

FIERCE BUSH FIRE

(By Telegraoh—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, November 30.

Fanned by a stiff •northerly breezy a fierce fire raged this afternoon ia the bush on the left-hand side : of the National Park'-Tokaanu road,' about seven miles past, the- turn-off to the Chateau., The fire spread with great rapidity among the worked bush, and eventually to green timber in the bush being worfced' by the Egmont Box Company, Weir and Kenny's mill, and Carter's mill. ■ ■.

Blazing over a five-mile front, the heat of the fire was so intense that men working in the bush were forced to come out before 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The wind dropped later in the day to a light southerly. The fira was- heading in I[he direction of Tau* marunui, bii't; was; more subdued. Up to this evening the 'mills and the millhouses had riot beenHtouched'by the fire, and they, wilKhotlie endangered unless the wind chan'gjss*Jp- the north. The. assistant^fmsWager at the Chateau, Mr. EwingV ;went out to investigate the .extent of .the fire, and found it had not,touched the National Park.area. -:-It,appearsAhat there is no likelihood of'" NitipMl - Park being endangered -uhl^:3 ia'i northerly springs up and drive?.1 the fire across the roid.