QUEENSTOWN BUSH

ALL NIGHT FIGHT P.A. INVERCARGILL, This Day. Serious bush fires raged last night near Queenstown. The camping ground on the western side of the town was evacuated, and at a late hour many campers were seen on the roadside, with their baggage beside them: All gear was removed from the ground. P.A. INVERCARGILL, This Day. ' The fire, however, was brought under control in the early hours of this morning after an all-night fight by bands of residents and visitors. It is now sweeping up the valley behind the power-house, but away from the town, and all danger is past. Brigades from Invercargill, Dunedin, and Gore, and also brigadesmen with equipment from Arrowtown, Cromwell, and Alexandra, went to Queenstown to help. The Invercargill and Dunedin brigades are still there coping with the outbreak. The Deputy Mayor, Mr. J. S. Royds, stated that if the wind had not changed after 3 a.m. all the brigades would not have held the fire. The flames got into the trees at the edge of the camping ground. "That's how close it was," he added. Mr. Royds expressed gratitude for the prompt assistance of the various brigades. A.t one stage it looked as if the whole place would be enveloped. Bush along the lakeside towards Glenorchy Road was destroyed, but two houses in the path of the fire were saved. No one was hurt. It is estimated that 2000 acres, including an area of birch at the back of Ben Lomond, have been destroyed. Campers ai*e,now .returning to the camping ground-after spending the night helping to fight the fire.