FIRES'

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1908, Page 8

FIRES'

IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. ' [BT TELEGEAPH. —PRESS •iSSOCIATIOJJ.j NELSON, 28th January. The position with regard to bush fires remains much the same. There is no appearance of rain, and the only favourable circumstance has been the absence oi a high wind. If a strong wind does arise there is every probability of vast and widespread disaster. Several homesteads in the Upper Motupiko Valley are still threatened, and others have only been saved by the most strenuous efforts of the bands of ■workers. One crippling effect of the grass fires on ths small settlers is that they have no feed left for stock, and are selling sheep at less than half value. There is no alternative except to keep and starve them. The continued drought is having a prejudicial effect on the largo fruits, which are not filling as thoy should, while of those in the ripening stage large quantities are falling oft". Altogether, the outlook in tho back districts is gloomy and disquieting. Many helpers sustained slight burns, and there are several cases of smoke blindness. NAPIER, This Day. Fire was discovered .at five minutes to two o'clock this morning in a fourroomed house in \orman'»-lane, off Car-lyle-slreet, owned and occupied by T. Murrow, painter and paperhanger. Tho place was completely gutted. The cause of the outbreak is unknown, as Murrow and his family hud not been living in the house for the last few days. The furniture was insured for £185 in the United Office. [By Telegram—Special to The Post.] MASTERTON, This Day. To-day is another stifling day. The fires out Matahiwi way have died down con&iderably, and there is an absence of smoke in the town atmosphere.

Perry's Biorama Company will commence a season at the Opera House on Monday night. The pictures will be shown by the aid of the latest machine, "tho Diolight." Mr. Perry has a strong company, "Athos," an expert skater, will execute his ''leap for life." Other membeis of the company are Stanley Chester, comedian ; Miss Eva Brady, 'Vocalist; and "Little Leah," a clever child performer. The box pl-in is now open at the Dresden. Residents of Northland aro suffering considerably owing to the continued diy weather, and the scarcity of water has become so serious that steps are to be taken to cart water to those resident* who care to pay for it. The matter was dealt with at a meeting of the Karori Borough Council last evening. It was stated that several residents had approached the City Council with a, view to being supplied with .water, but the City Engineer, while wishing to comply with the request, suggested that the water should be obtained through tho Karori Council. Tho idea was thought to be a good one, and, on the motion of the Mayor (Mr. A. C. Pearce), it was decided to ask tho City Council for the loan of a water-cart, and that the Karori Council supply a horse and man. The water is to obtained from tho South Karon stream, and supplied to those residents who notify the council. The bridge which the Hutt Borough Council has decided to place over the Hutt River from the Belmont-road to Camp-road will be of the suspension type, and will be 370 feet long. The cost is estimated at £1500, of which amount tho Government will find onehalf. The property owners interested have agreed to contribute £400, and the balance will bo paid by the council. The bridge, tenders for the construction of which are now invited, will have a rather attractive appearance. The funeral of the late 'Mr. Thomas Hall, who was killed by the exploaion at the Engineer Volunteers' camp in Mahonga Bay last Sunday, took place this afternoon. Amongst those present were representatives of the Defence Department and officers and men of the Wellington Engineers. The deceased was chief chef at Bellamy's, and was very well liked. The interment was made at Karori, the obsequies being conducted by Pastor Turner of the Church of Christ.. Another representation in fireworks of the taking of Port Arthur will be given at "Wonderland" to-night by Mr. Bickerton. The side shows will also be in "full swing." John William Copithorne has been nominated for a seat upon the Wellington Harbour Board, as a representative of the citizens. His nominators are William Allan and James Godber. Mr. Copithorne was at one time on the wharf staff of the Harbour Board. Scarlet fever, though its power is largely broken, has not yet been overcome. This disease was tne cause of the death at the Hospital yesterday of Bernard Gasquoyne, the eighteen-year-old son of Mr. W. C. Gasquoyne, manager of tho State Coal Department. It is not long since the lad completed his educational course at St. Patrick's College, and he had taken a clerkship in tho Union Company's office. Tho funeral took Elaco this morning, and waa very largeafctesded.