BIG BUSH FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1926, Page 9

BIG BUSH FIRES.

M VICINITY OF fiAETIHI. MANY PROPERTIES IN DANGER, SEVERAL HOUSES DESTROYED. HEAVY RAIN SAVES SITUATION. tßj- Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") RAETIHI, this day. Early yesterday morning a very strong north-easterly wind sprang up, and at times changed to north-east. Later in the clay fires developed in many parts of the district. In Ruatiti area fires swept the properties of Messrs. Solly, McGurr and Webster, but no loss of stock has beeii reported from there. During the afternoon, Raetihi was enveloped in smoke, the fires apparently coming nearer. Along Valley Road small outbreaks occurred and swung along to the back, of Synies , Mill and Harris* property. On the Ohakune Road, at times traffic was suspended, car services and private cars on this particular road being held up. At Makotuku Sawmill Messrs. Harris Bros.' house and Mr. Plunkett'e mill and dwellings, Mr. ■ Smith's mill, and other places looked to be in danger. Relief parties went out in many directions, but the fire was raging with terrific force and nothing could be done. Three Houses Destroyed. The smoke was suffocating and blinding at times, and people were preparing to leave their dwellings when rain came. Three- houses were destroyed near the Makaranui railway crossing. These were occupied by Messrs. Marsh, Williamson and Henry respectively. Horses and farm stock also perished in the flames. At this part of the district heavy rain set in about 6 o'clock, and all danger was over. All the fires were put out and the smoke cleared.. Heavy winds did some damage to electric light wires, and part of the town was in darkness most of the evening. Had rain not come when it did, there was every possibility of a repetition of the disastrous fire in March, 1918. Fires In All Directions, Bush fires in the Raetihi district were of an extensive nature and extended in the direction of Kurioi. Mr. E. Perm, an employee of the Wanganui County Council, who returned, from there yesterday afternoon, said that at mid-day the fire was raging near Mr. Dillon's residence at Karioi, and extending in the direction of Kennedy's place. A big fight -was being put up to save Dillon's house. None of the mills along the Karioi Road were at that time in danger. Mr. Perm traversed the Parapara Road on the way back. It was clear of fire, although the whole countryside was under a pall of smoke. i Bushmen Caught in Flames. When spoken to this morning, passengers who arrived by the night Limited express from Wellington, said when the v train was passing through' the Ohakune district a heavy pall of smoke hung over the countryside. People living in the district had felt considerable alarm. Telephone communication round Raetihi was interrupted in all directions. .Bushmen who had been working in the area between Raetihi and Ohakune had a most trying experience. The fire swept on to their particular part at a great rate. A number decided to make for the direction of Ohakune and managed to get through unscathed. Those who went by way of Horopito, however, were not so fortunate. They had a big fight to get out and were severely burned before they managed to reach, the township. When the express left Ohakune last evening, heavy rain was Tailings and all danger was past. HISTORY ALMOST REPEATS ITSELF. THE GREAT FIRE OF 1918. On March 18, 1918, one of the biggest bush fires in the history of the King Country broke out in the vicinity of Raetihi. So great was the density of smoke that people in Wellington, and at; other places down the line thought that Ngauruhoe was in violent erruption. On that occasion the fires, for there were a number of them, fanned ty a howling gale, travelled all over the countryside doing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Many homes were burnt and sawmills destroyed. Raetihi was almost wiped out and had it not been for a favourable change of wind, nothing could have saved the township. Residents were in sore straits, many of them seeking shelter from the flames in the river bed and culverts. Great sheets of flamp wore carried in all directions by the gale, and considerable numbers of stock perished. Three people lost their lives on that occasion, and many others were injured. A special train was sent from Taihapc in order to give relief to the homeless. On that occasion the Hon. Guthru , was Minister of Land?, and was quickly on the scene. He spent nearly a weeK in the district, and the Government gave much relief to settlers who had been burned out. Arrangements were made by which the price of grass-seed was regulated, and many settlers living in the district to-day have reaspn to be thankful for the assistance given by him.