Bash Fires.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 297, 18 March 1903, Page 2

Bash Fires.

During the past few days log and bush fires haye — owing to the high wind which haa prevailed — spread over a considerable area of country around Dannevirke.

At Matamau last evening tbe Palmerston North Sash and Door Company's Mill, on Mr Rathbone's property, was destroyed. This mill was being run by Mr W. F. Greenaway, who had the contract for cutting, and, we understand, there were some two years' cutting in. the bush before the fire got into it. The mill was, we understand, insured for £600 by the company, but a portion of the plant, which was owned by Mr Greenaway, was uninsured. Some 10,000 feet of sawn timber, and six whares which were occupied by the men were destroyed. Besides this the fire has damaged the bush so seriously that it will not, we are informed, pay to re-erect the mill. Not only will tbe loss of the company be heavy, but Mr Greenaway is a considerable loser by the fire.

One of the men at the Matamau mill, Mr Wilson, lost most of his belongings in the fire which destroyed his whare. The bush fires are raging from Mangatera to Smith's siding— over country about eight miles in width— and it is feared much damage will result unless rain falls soon.

In the Tiratu block the Tiratu Sawmilling Company's No. 1 mill is in danger of destruction, while an anxious time is being experienced at Messrs G. A. Gamman and Co.'s No. 2 Otanga mill. Both these mills are surrounded by fire. Other mills are also in some danger. The fire is in the bush on the Otanga and Tiratu blocks, but as it is still burning it is impossible to estimate the amount of damage done. On Monday evening log fires spread across Mr Caley's property at Weber and destroyed a large cow shed which had been recently erected. The shed was full of hay.

From particulars to hand, it appears the men at Bartholomew's Takapau mill had a very sensational time. They had watched all night till at last the wind had veered round to the south. Then some of them went to sleep, but towards morning the wind changed round again and came with an irresistible rush and swept away all the whares as well as the mill. Mr Frame, engine-driver, lost tools valued at about £100. Nearly all the stable harness and horse feed was also Btroyed

The down express yesterday was delayed for nearly two hours at the Ormondville Station, as the bush fires had got on to the line at Gamman's siding, and a culvert was damaged. The occupants of the np-train, which passes the express at Ormondville, had a very unpleasant time, being almost suffocated with smoke. Eventually, the train arrived, and the express got away at 20 to 6 instead of 4 o'clock.

Several telegraph poles between Dannevirke and Woodville having been burned by the fire, communication on this line was interrupted to-day, but all damage so far has been promptly repaired.

Last night the railway authorities had all the trucks removed from the several sidings between Dannevirke and Ormondville to prevent their being damaged hy the numerous fires which are burning along the line. Few of the sawmill proprietors in the Southern Hawke's Bay have escaped loss as the result of the bush tires which are now burning, principally through tram hnes being burnt. Per Press Association. Fiii-.-)iN(;, This day. Denson's storo and dwelling at Cheltenham was destroyed by fire. Insurances, building £'200 ; stock, X'oOO. A blacksmith's shop adjoining was also destroyed. Hamilton, This day. Hall's boarding house of 25 rooras wa- destroyed by fire. Half the furniture was saved the building ahd furniture were insured for £500.