SOUTH FEATHERSTON SCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 105, 27 January 1908, Page 8

SOUTH FEATHERSTON SCHOOL.

(from Oct. sit.ciai, correspondent.) ' :, Featherston, January 25. i The South Featherston School had a narrow, escape, from destruction by fire on Friday. Tho grass, in the vicinity caught fire, and it was only through the efforts of,the settlors that, the fire was prevented from spreading to tho school. >•.. • TOOK REFUGE IN A CREEK. COROMANDEL INCIDENT. • ' • : (Bt TELEGRAPH—rnEaS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, January 25. Bush fires are still raging in the Coromandol Peninsula, and unless rain falls additional vahiablo timber areas will bo devastated. Threo men working-to save a dam' in the llangihau-Block had a perilous experience. ■ Before they •■were-aware-'of their position they were surrounded by flames, and took refjige in a creek, where the water baiely covered-their bodies.' ■ , They crawled out more dead "han alive when the lire had-passed.

NELSON. .'

■ ■ SAWMILL IN DANGER, V . '■ (by TELEOBArn—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.) . I' • •' • Nelson, January 25. A strong south-westerly wind is blowing, and thV fires are everywhere reported as increasing. ' The, town is full of' smoke and dust. The fires have spread almost to Waimea West, and settlers are taking steps to protect their homesteads. A second sawmill, belonging ! to Mr. H. Baigorit, situated at Gqlden Bay, ( 'is said to bo' doomed. It is l'eared that. the. (ires will spread 'from Tadmor: to the' Motupiko Valley. ,

Our Nelson correspondent, writing on January 22, states:— 'There is lio-break in the lone spell of dry weather, and in consequence tne bush and grass fires are still raging. At'times the town liris been thick with'smoke, and the buu like a red ball of fire in'''the* sky, and dayby day' the'air has been full of a smoke-haze that.seemed to intensify ,J;ho heat.' Old identities are comparing notes, and are beginning to agree that this is one of the most remarkable seasons the district has known. The fires, which Sro still unchecked, aro of 'a very serious kind. The destruction of a considerable number' of stock has been reported, but the loss will probably prove greater than is yet definitely known. Much pasture has been destroyed'at the very time when; feed is most needed, • and miles of fonces are down in all parts of tho district. One of the most serious losses has been that of Mr. H. Baigent, whoso sawmill at Pigeon Valley, near Wakefield, was completely do-. Btroyed. The belts and saws bad been removed to a place of safety, and the ' mill hands had been fighting tho flames with apparent success, when a sudden change of the wind brought the fire back upon the mill and buildings. At. one timo a report was spread that tho beautiful ' Glenduan bush was on fire. This is one of the favourite picnic resorts, and is connected: with the town by the motor 'bus service. Fortunately the bush there is yet unharmed, tho smoke pouring in dense volumes from the Rai Valley having given rise to the rumour. Thero have boon many fires of a smaller kind in the immediate neighbourhood' of tho city, and one of a more serious kind swopt through the resorvo on "Britannia Heights, known as "Piper's Park." A number of young trees in the .resorvo were injured, and tho firo threatened the residents of Toi Toi' Street. At Tadmor, Tapawera, Wangapcka, and fihorry much damage has .been dono. Between Stanley Brook and Belgrovo. a great ftroa.has been swept, and from all parts of tho, district there-aro reports . of minor damage.

Fire swept through the rough and largo aroa of scrub and. grass land. on tho hills behind tho forts at Shelley Bay yesterday.