TAUPO BUSH FIRES

HOSPITAL VACATED

P.A. AUCKLAND, January 5. Scrub fires were still raging round Taupo at 3 p.m. today, and it was deemed necessary to vacate the Wairakei Mental Hospital. The patients were removed to Taupo in motor-cars. At dusk this evening the majority of the pine trees which are within a quarter of a mile of the hotel buildings were burning. However, the efforts of fire-fighters were successful in checking them sufficiently, and up to a late hour tonight the hotel was .still safe.

At Acacia Bay the fire was driven out of Wakeman's forestry plantation by a change of wind last night and travelled south to Rangatira Point, doing no harm in the fern country. By this morning the wind had again changed and the flames turned north and eventually burned out all the beautiful acacia trees so well known as a popular picnic ground. The fire now appears to have burned itself out. When the fire jumped the Waikato River near Reid's farm, two days ago, it immediately threatened, the Spa Hotel and the Rotokawa forestry plantation. Skilful back-burning and rigid control of the danger spot has for the time being removed all danger from both areas.

f The fire which started near Oruanui, which is on the road between Taupo and Mokai, this morning seriously threatened the Oruanui School buildings, but with the assistance of volunteer fire-fighters and a lull in the wind they were saved.