THE BUSH FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 121, 14 February 1908, Page 8

THE BUSH FIRES.

RAGING IN WAIMARINO DISTRICT. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. ANXIOUS TIME FOR SETTLERS. |BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL COKRESPONDBNT.) Vaihape, February 13. A telegram from Ohakur.e this afternoon states that through tho fierce winds blowing last night, the fires all round' tho district revived. Considerable damage is reported, but most of the wires aro down, and it is hard to ascertain tlio amount of the damage. 'Rangataua Station is cut off owing to a ■fire-across the road. Tho driver of an express waggon, ■ loaded 'with: chaff, was setting out from Rangataua when the load took firo. A waggon load of timber also caught lire. Mr. Ferguson's house was in groat danger last niglit, necessitating a watch being kept. So far tho place is safe.

Another house caught twico, but was put out after strenuous work by helpers. Sollitt and Company's sawmill was in great danger,' and all hands aro watching. ' On the Rangataua Cemetery Road tho farmers had a'rough time yesterday afternoon and last night. Mr. Wilson Kerr's fiveroomed house and all outbuildings were destroyed completely, little being saved.

' Hill Brothers lost all their hay and winter feed. . '

Mr. Hector M'Lean, sen.'s, dwelling caught fire several times, but so far has escaped, Mr. Dwyer, another settler, is in a bad way, and cannot got help, owing to the fierco fire across tho road;

The home and'buildings of Mr. Hector M'Lean, jun., are in great danger. Mr. Ford, another settler, is isolated, and all his buildings are in imminent danger. Only two suppliers brought milk to the Ohakune Creamery this morning. Most of the farmers'could not get out. Farmers are suffering greatly, losing all thoir winter feed, which is already scarce on' account of the drought. .Messrs.-Welsh and M'Hardie's properties had a dangerous time, being surrounded by .fierce flames, but they have so far escaped. Fires are burning fiercely at Ohakune, but as yet no sorious damage has been done. TRAVELLING DANGEROUS. It is dangerous .to travel to Raetihi owing to, the fierce fires from Potzer's farm to Raetihi. , Many narrow escapes occurred yesterday. Ateo, three miles from. Horopito, is ono mass of flames, and many camps havo been destroyed. '•■:'■ CoachdrivtJS had to put their horses through at a.-gallop and passengers wore scorched. Horopito ,pooplo had to shift their camps on to .tho road, and; even then several wero destroyed. From Makoto viaduct to Toanui viaduct fires are burning fiercely. Coachdrivors and passengers had trying experiences yesterday, and if the wind keeps up to-day coaches will not bo able to go to Waimarino, as trees wero falling across tho road. Inst night. ;

■ Pisngatana had an awful experience yesterday afternoon, all hands assisting' to fight' the fires. . • . ,

Reports ..just, received istato that tho fires are now subsiding. Mr. Remus, who holds a section at tho back of Rangataua, is having a terriblo ordeal. All his buildings are in imminent danger .of: being, destroyed," and as -tho wind is'commencing to blow again the danger is not half over. It is reported that Raetihi township was in grave,danger last.night. The wires aro down, and, full particulars aro not obtainable. . DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AT HOROPITO. ,A' later message says tho butcher's shop, sash and door factory, and wooden buildings at Horopito 'havo been burned down, and all the stores are in danger. , - /. To-day the Government stores had:to bo shifted to the cement sliekl/. /The fires burning around. Mataroa have been fanned into great activity through the heavy easterly wind. One block, known as Somerville's, is ablazo, and tho flames aro spreading over a great area, destroying fencos and dry, and green bush alike. Ono ; settler has lost many shoep, and others aro removing their stock to places of safety. * / . . _ Smith and Donald's mill, though mainly intact, .has lost a good deal of tramway, and in order to. save further damage, the owners have dismantled the bridges.. Many settlers are.removing their furniture, and are fighting tho flame's night and day. The. wholo district is drought-stricken, and stock is being got rid of,, as there is no grass.