BURNING BUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 75, 29 March 1913, Page 9

BURNING BUSH.

BLASE IN POVERTY BAY. ASSUMED LARGE DIMENSIONS. SETTLERS FIGHTING FOR THEIR HOMES. (By Telegraph.—l'ress Association.) GISBORXE, Friday. Bash tires hue revived in several parts 0 f the (li-ii'i.'l, and with a strong wester ly wind blowing today, were making much headway. About Te Karaka this afternoon the ait was heavily charged with smoke. One liuyo tire appeared to _ in the direction of Run 47. beyond Otoko. where there are 15,000 acres of standi"? bush, which it is feared may have become endangered. This tire had uccti burning since yeslerdaT morning, and to-day assumed very large dimensions. Other fires were seen in Lhe direction of Mangatu and M-atawai. At Rakanroa the settlers are again fjijhtiiif; hard to save their homes "and stork from destruction, but reports tonight indicate that tile smoke is too thick to enable much to bo done. A telephone message from Rakauroa to-nigh, stated that the township was full of smoke, and the residents roundnbout were driven out of their homes. There was. however, a strong promise of rain, which would, of course save the situation. Tile lircs are burning all round, and ! Graham's place has boon threatened all day. Despite the efforts of the fircfi.litets the ivoolshecl and outhouses arc almost certain to be burned, though the house may be saved. "There is a big crowd at McLatighlan's." proceeds the message, "but the smoke has beaten them. However, the woolshcd has been saved so far. and is practically out of danger for the time beinp. Ail elforts nre hoinc; concentrated on the house. The (ires are vprv luul nt Matawai too, but there is but little between Rakanroa and Matawai except a few smouldering logs. |f () 10 rain which promises comes, we may be nil right, but if it does not there'will lion homy loss, as the men cannot stand the smoke"