HEAVY GALES AND SERIOUS BUSH FIRES NEAR INVERCARGILL.— GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3631, 2 March 1883, Page 3

HEAVY GALES AND SERIOUS BUSH FIRES NEAR INVERCARGILL.— GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

IxvEKCARGiLL, This day

Yesterday a heavy northerly gale set in, and roused up the smouldering fires in tho bush, there having been no rain of consequence to prevent fires. C. Dawsou and Co. 's sawmill, One-Tree Point, and that of C. Tullock, Makerewa bush, have both been destroyed, in the latter case with a dwelling, "which was insured in the Union, but the amount is unknown. At Surman's farm, East-road, the out-houses have been burnt down, and the house is now in danger. In the afternoon the wind lulled for a short time, but again piped up with as great force from the west. The town was filled m ith dense clouds of dust, small stones, and smoke, completely hiding the surrounding country. At intervals, to the south-east of the town, seaward, the bush after dark was qi'ite a grand display of fireworks, trees standing out traced in the fire. Several propei'tics in that locality are in great danger, and much of the bush that ■was conserved for shelter to the residences has been destroyed. It is still blowing hard, and the country round is illuminated by the bush and tussocks being on fire. At Makarewa bush, near Invereargill, where there is a large and 2'rosperous village settlement, the damage will be great. Many families have retreated. At Woodlands a carpenter's shop was turned right over by the wind. Bush fires are all round. The destruction of fruit and growing grain must be gx - eat.