THE BUSH FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 43, 19 February 1908, Page 5

THE BUSH FIRES.

SETTLERS HEAVY LOSSES.

A SERIOUS OUTBREAK. MOKAtT COUNTRY *-RT.att!, TAXBAPE IN PERIL. From all over the country accounts are received regarding the damage done by bush fires, and the city is still in a haze of smoke. Last night the moon when it rose looked qmte red through the smoke that has spread over the place. The want of rain is now a very serious matter. For instance the manager of the Kapawai G3L Company reported today that the main creek at Gumtown has now completely disappeared, owing to the want of rain.

AN EXCITOSTG JOURNEY.

HORSES GAIXOP THROUGH FIRE. 1 (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WATTTI, this day. Bush fires have been severe between Katikati and Tauranga, and about eleven telegraph posts have been burned. The WaiM-Tauranga coach was bailed up on the road for U hours, and eventually, Maurice Crimmins. coach-driver, salloped his team through a burning zone of fire on each side of the road. The experience was rather exciting to the passengers. A number of men are busily engaged re-erecting telegraph posts and repairing the damage caused.

FIRES IN THAMES DISTRICT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. Smoke from bush fires was thicker than ever over the town to-day, and one could not see more than a-quarter of a mile ahead. Navigation in the gulf and up the rivers is rendered most difficult at night, as the various guiding lights cannot be detected until the vessels are quite close. Consequently nearly all navigation of the gulf has to be done by compass.

FIRES HV THE NORTH.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WEANGAREI, this day. Purua Hall had a narrow escape from, destruction through sparks from a bush fire igniting the rubbish under the hall. It is also reported that fire has broken out in the Puhipuhi bush, and that the Government forest reserve is threatened.

THE TARA2TAKI FIRES.

MAITT DISTRICTS ISOLATED. SETTLERS PREP AXING FOR THE WORST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. The fires are , very serious in the country, but communication ia cut off from many districts and details are not procurable. At Oaonui fires are raging in all directions, and the settlers are fighting the flames under distressing con- ■ ditiona. ! It is reported that several dairy fae- ( tories are in danger, and that numerous families' have been burnt out, and are being brought into town. Heavy lossea in stock are anticipated. Reports from Egmont village are meagre, but it is understood that children are unable to get home from some of the schools in that locality. .Many of the settlers' wives and families, who have left their homes, have arrived in the township safely. Hillsborough dairy factory is reported to be doomed. Fires are raging in the Eatanui district, within four miles of Xew Plymouth. Uiiiti district is ona huge forest of fire, and everyone is preparing for the worst. Fires are raging fiercely in all directions at Tongapouruta. The Puniho settlers have sent their families out of the danger zone, many leaving their homes with their wearing apparel only. Kahui-road sawmills are threatened, and the Newall-road school ia in the midst of the fire zone. The wind shows no sign of abating, and the volume of smoke is nndimin ished. Suburban residents are taking precautions in case of Sre ciuirinsf tiie nigiit, tfcrf i fire brigade men and telephone exchange j employees being kept on duty. j

MORE BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

MOXAU COUNTRY ABLAZE. ! CEy Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, tMs day. | It is -very difficult to get authenticated and exact information as to the damage by the bush fires. The Sash and. Door, Company's sawmill on the Egmoiit-road ■ was destroyed, and the loss is estimated at £3000. " The insurances are small. A settler named Shoemark, on the same road, lost all his effects, which had been : removed from the house. It is not cer- \ tain whether the house was destroyed. ! His family was brought to town last j night. I In the _ coastal district the position | is serious. It is thought to be impos- j sible to save the Newall-road sehoo!. A four-roomed house on the Kahui road, owned by Mr. Hemingway, was destroyed last night, but the effects were saved. Other families have been sent to Rahotu. It is unknown whether the houses es- | caped. Several families were brought into ' Puniho last night also, but it is unknown whether the homes were destroyed. The situation improved a little this morning, when milking proceeded as usual on several farms, where last night ! the danger was great. j The Warea school children were unable to go home last night. It is quite impossible at present to ascertain the extent of damage. Probably the worst fears will not be realised, though it will j ■ be a very anxious time until rain comes.! In the Northern District towards the ' ( llokau the country is full of fire aud j smoke, but there is no definite information as to any serious result.

FRESH BLAZE AT WQODVJXIkE

WOODVILLE, this day. The bush fires started again yesterday owing to the wind freshening. Ihe gorge Mils wesc ablaze for miles, and a

fierce fire wa3 raging in the bosh near the freezing works, but no danger is anticipated. This morning the smoke cleared from the town, the fires having apparently burned put.

BLAZE AT MAUXGAXAWA.

SANATORIUM GROUNDS x n KB ft 'X'KJtKU. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) CAMBRIDGE, this day. Last night the matron of the sanatorium telephoned for men to try and keep down a fire in the Maungakawa bush. A number of the fire brigade and other men worked all night, and succeeded in preventing the fire spreading; but a number of the dead rata trees l are still blazing, and if the -wind changed it is probable that the patients in. the Pkmtet colony Trill have to be removed, as the fire is getting near it. The sanatorium men have been working_ day and nigEt, and are completely done up. The fire is said to be the result of a settler some distance away lighting scrub more than a week since. The matron has had. an anxious time, and has been, up superintending almost continuously.

TAIHAPE IN FEBIL

I'IMHPH RESERVE *WT.*CT!SXTVATIOH AXARMXNG. i (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAIHAPE, this day. Strong winds have freshened the fires at Waimarino, and the flames have seized hold of the Government timber reserve on the road to Raetihi, necessitating all the residents turning out Bucket brigades have been formed, and so far the fire has been held in check. The situation is alarming, a3 the town is practically threatened if the wind becomes stronger.