CRASS FIRE IN CANTERBURY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 96, 16 January 1908, Page 8

CRASS FIRE IN CANTERBURY.

TWENTY THOUSAND ACRES IN FLAMES. (by telegraph—hiess association.) tj • i i i Clirlstohurch,.i January 15. . Reports to-hand say ,that a big grass fire C - j eri ° B somet hing Farmers, hare suffered severe loss;; including, much fencing and-some stock. • Details are meagre.. CRASS FIRE IN THE CASHMERE HILLS CAUGHT -IN THE FLAMES. fIRE-BEATER'S TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. (BY TELEGIIAPH— RItESS ASSOCIATION.) '• Christpiiuroh, January IS. A grass fire broke out . on tho Cashmero HUls tins afternoon, and spread-for a con- ' 1 over the Casbiere Estate before jt "was subdued. . "While' the fi re was at ; its height, a tcrÜble cxpcnencq befeU Mr. William MW, the -aretaker of Victoria Park. Ho was. one of the-most energetic of the workers, who were lighting tho flames, and apparently one of the most venturesome. Ho seems .to havo detached himself from the main body of the workers and advanced, alone into a gullv to extinguish the fire among some large'- tussocks. • While he was thus engaged the fire crept past him on tho other side, and before ho was aware of it ho . was surrounded by a seething.and qnickly-advancing mass of Maine. Ho made a dash for safety, but belore he bad. gone more than a few yards his clothes were on fire,' and he was practically unable to move. • „?e was then soon by a young man named Lrjghc ; gesticulating and calling desperately to a crowu of workers who were eugaged on the east side of the firo ; Tho roar of the flames, and the strong wind blowing against him must have provented' his cries being heard. As soon as Bright was awaro of Moon s ternblo predicament ho called to a jonng man, and tqgothor tlicy dashed to his assistance. Uoon, when they reached him, was in a shocking condition, but quite conscious. All his clotniii", with the exception of his boots and an undershirt, bad been bnrned off, and kp was frightfully injured. Bright and his assistant carried him . to the school buildings, where first aid was rendered by a constable and a resident of the locality. An express was sccurad and Moon y,'us sent to the hospital, but he is not cxpcotttd to lire. .

The Petone Brass Band gave its fourth evening performance on the Eecreation Ground last evening. The si'ene was enlivened-, by impromptu dancing on the green.