AUSTRALIAN FIRES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 117, 11 February 1926, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN FIRES

MURRAGULDRIE STATE FOREST DESTROYED MUCH LOSS OF VALUABLE GRASS AND STOCK By Telegraph—Press Association, copyright. Sydney, February 10. New South Wales has suffered great loss in the almost entire burning out of the Murraguldrie State Forest. The fire was held in check for some days, then the wind veered round, and hard as the fire-fighters worked, they were beaten. Onlv thirty out of 15,000 acres of timber are now standing. The damage is estimated at £60,000, and the work of the State Forestry Department for several years has been nullified. Thick grass grew right up to the edge of the forest, and there was no intervening firebreak. Other bush fires are still burning fiercely, and much, loss of valuable grass and stock is reported.—Press Assn. (Rec. February 10, 9.25 p.m.)Sydney, February 10. The damage by the fire cabled to-day is now estimated at £so,ooo.—Press Assn. BENEFICIAL RAIN Melbourne, February 10. A sudden rain practically extinguished the bush fires in the Dandenong Ranges, but the embers of the forest are still smouldering. Large patrols are watching for fresh outbreaks; The forest rangers consider the danger past. —Press Assn. x, CANADIAN SYMPATHY .TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIANS’ COURAGE (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) New York, February 9. A Montreal message states ' that the “Montreal. Star.” in an editorial, says: “We in Canada will feel special sympathy for the > people Of New South Wales and Victoria, who have suffered so grievously through forest fires. With the mid-winter in full blast here, it may be difficult for some to realise that Slimmer is at the peak in Australia. This terrible catastrophe will drive the fact home to Canadians, who know what forest'fires mean, and will find it very easy to extend to their unfortunate cousins in the-Antipodes'a liberal measure of, sympathy. The Australian people are a sturdy race, who face misfortune and with grim resolute determination repair it with the least possible delay. The two States will no doubt recover from this setback, and restore their former prosperity.” —Aus. N.Z. Cable AsSn.