Serious Bush Fires.

There was a heavy gale of wind at Carterton on Monday and a bush fire at Belvedere spread to the property of Mr R. Butler, and destroyed two of his oat-stacks. Mr W. Booth was a sufferer by the same fire. He lost two timber trucks, some machinery and slabs. Destructive bush fires are reported from the Forty Mile Bush. At Eketahuna one or two houses have been destroyed, whilst at Mauriceville, it is said, about a dozen residences have been burned, together with large quantities of hay. Many settlers aro said to be ruined.

Heavy rain is now failing which will have the offici; 01 subduing tb.3 bush fires. Three stacks of grain belonging to Mr George Drummond, near Master- _ ton, have been destroyed by fire. A heavy gale was experienced also at Pahiatua and houses in the village settlement and elsewhere were in danger. One caught fire, through sparks from a tree, and •. a hole about 2ft square was burne4_^ before it was subdued. Another settler had an outhouse burnt with a lot of carpenters tools, &c.