RISE FROM ASHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 9

RISE FROM ASHES.

BURNT-OUT TOWNS. Residents Already Preparing To Rebuild. AUSTRALIAN' FIRE TOLL. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The Premier, Mr. A. A. Dunstan, after returning from a two-day inspection of the fire areas, said that legislation to compel the construction of safety dugouts at mills in all timber areas and the concentration of mil! workers in model townships would be considered shortly. Mr. Dunstan added that he was appalled at the extent of the damage he had seen In his 500-mile tour. Every effort would be made to salvage as much of the burnt timber as possible, but it was apparent that £1,000,000 would not cover the loss of beautiful forests. "For. the third time we will build NoOjee' bigger and better than ever," said a spokesman of the town, when Mr. Dunstan arrived there. "Noojee will rise again from ashes," the spokesman added. Many residents in the burnt-out towns have already camped and are preparing to rebuild. One mill-owner told the Premier that before the fire there were 800,000,000 super' feet of timber available in the Tanjil district. Much could be saved if it was cut immediately, but the former mill site was useless and roads and new tramways were needed. These could only be built with Government help. The Government's policy of restoring the timber milling industry will be considered shortly. An official check of the casualties in the bush flres shows 70 people lost their lives. Two are still missing and are believed to be dead. So widespread were the fires that deaths occurred in 10 distinct areas. The latest relief fund figures show that £105,000 has been raised. Much more money is" still to come. It was decided to-day that the fund should be used only for relief and not for compensation, replacement or rehabilitation.