IN TARANAKI.

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

IN TARANAKI.

SETTLERS' HOUSES THREATENED. FIGHTING THE FLAMES. (BY TELECRAFn —SPECIAL COMIESPONDENT.) Moiv Plymouth, February 12. To-day a thick smoky hazo hung over Nov; Plymouth, tho sun appearing as a great ball of fire. In the afternoon tho smoke was so thick as to causo considerable discomfort and sot rumours afloat concerning tho march of tho flames towards tho town. Groat clouds' of smoke were rolling in, apparently from Carrington Road district. The rumour gained currency that Davics's sawmill, on tho Upper Carrington Iload, had been destroyed after a night's hard battling with tho flames. At Mr. Cock's, a grass /ire started just after noon, and spread rapidly through tho orchard. Tho men engaged *on roadworks rushed across, and by their assistanco tho firo was prevented from getting into tho belt of high pinus irisignustreos. Had these been set alight thcro would have been a poor chanco of saving Mr. Buckman's house on tho other side of tho road.

Rumours concerning destruction of Hon. 0. Samuel's rcsidenco and beautiful pleasure resort, at tho Meeting of tho Waters, woro entirely unfounded. On tho Carrington Road, furza and fern had caught, and tho blaxo ignited several pieces of dead timber, not very far from Mr. Brash's houso. A MASS OF FLAMES. . Higher up in the valley, which crosses to Mangorei Road, Mr. Wilkio's property was a mass of flames, and tho sight at night was very picturesque; On tho other side of tho road, about a mile further, acres were ablazo in Messrs. H. C. Riley's, Binnie's and A. Colo's properties. Fanned by a stiff south-oast •breeze, tho flames travelled rapidly from treo to treo in the direction of Frankloy Road. At tho sawmill reported to be destroyed, air was safe, but only 1 as the result of a night's-hard toil. . The fire had gained hold of somo stuff lying near the building, but by strenuous efforts tho mill was saved. Mr. H. G. Blanchett, had a trying timo on Tuesday night'. At 11.30 o'clock, ho had to turn , out to watch the- fire that had approached closo to his house. All hands were kopt busy fighting thoifiro until daybreak, and although tho outbuildings caught on several occasions, but little damage was dono. As yet tho damago dono is comparatively slight, but should the present strflng wind from tho south-east continue'there will'lis soriou3 loss in a day or two. ,

Fires aro crossing rapidly from Mangorei Road towards Mr. Rawlinson's Carrington Road farm, approaching 'a protty littlo area of native bush, preserved for soenic purposes. Mr. Brash's':' Ratanui homostoad is in tho line of danger, .and a pieco of bush is threatened. Tho residences of both these settlors aro closely surrounded' .by trees and tho position is critical. It is feared that Frankleigh Park settlors will liavo to protcct their homes unless tho wind comes from a fresh quarter. From Tariki it is learnt that firos starting in that district travelled rapidly towards Kaimata. . Air unconfirmed report is tq tho effect that tho Upland Road School was burned down yesterday. Fires are reported to be' serious round Egmont village. . ■ i ' ' " CAPE EGMONT DISTRICT. ***■' / , ' . (bt TEl.EGiurn—rr.Ess association.) New Plymouth, February. 13. In. the Cape Ugmont. district considerable destruction has. been-wrought by bush fires. Tho homesteads of . Messrs. Morrow... and Clarke, oil tho Kahui Road, have been 'deRothcry's sawmill was on firo, but has , been saved from destruction up, to tlie presont. i • - Tho Opuuake Company's sawmill is in danger, and fires are raging practically-over tho whole district to the north and west of; Mount Egmont. ; '- DESTRUCTION IN WAfnOA SOUTH. '"SCENERY RESERVES IN DANGER. Auokland, February 13. Extensive fires have occurred in tho Ot.au block, fivo miles from Clevedon, Wairoa South. Several houses have been burned, and tjio' Government scouery reserves aro in danger. 1 '• j FLAX SWAMP ABLAZE. DARGAVILLE LOSSES. ' Auckland, February 13. . Sinco yesterday afternoon the town and harbour havo been enveloped in smoke, evidently from .bush fires. A Dargavillo telegram-states that several hundred acres of flax' were destroyed by fire, which is raging in tho swamps- ; in the Kaihu district. Messrs. Downey and Clear aro tho principal losers. , .

An excursion train, with school children and two hundred adults, wa3 delayed for half an hour by tho lire while it crossed tho railway.

There aro bush fires in every, direction, and Dargavillo is covered with, smoke.

KAW.HIA DISTRICT AFFECTED,

A correspondent telegraphed from Kawhia yesterday that the district was suffering very sevcroly from bush fires; and that at Oparau the .homesteads of Messrs.. Bell, M'lntosh. and Troughton had been, burnt to the ground. The losses are very heavy. Tho firo was still raging, and thero was no indication of rain.