NELSON BUSH FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 14, 17 January 1905, Page 3

NELSON BUSH FIRES.

HEAVY LOSSES.

A HEAT RECORD

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NELSON, Monday. Yesterday was the hottest day for years. There was a hot wiV. and tne thermometer rose to 92 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and 112 in the sun. Collingwood reports that there were extensive bush fires yesterday at Bainham, Bonny Doon, and Kaituna. Considerable damage was done, the sufferers losing rather extensively in the destruction of sheds, etc. The dwelling of Mr B. Kemp, at Bonny Doon Valley, was burnt down, also a slaughterhouse owned by Mr W. Allan at Bainham, and the sheds of Messrs. Eyre and Brewer, at KaitunaMr W. Grant, sawmiller, is a heavy loser, all his milling plant and buildings being destroyed, a small quantity being saved by dismantling the mill. The mill tramway and standing bush also suffered. \ Far back in Bonny Doon Valley Messrs. Langford and Keeghan lost everything but their dwellings. Mrs Kesghan, by mistaking the track in escaping from the house, was lost in the bush, but was rescued at one o'clock this morning. The fires are still burning everywhere, and the danger is not yet over. The district is enveloped in dense smoke. The fires originated in the annual burning of bush at Puponga on Friday. At Seruby the fire did considerable damage, and the mine was shut down for hours to enable the miners to assist in fighting the flames. Two miners' tents were destroyed, and several miles of bush damaged.