BIG BUSH FIRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18, 23 January 1911, Page 7

BIG BUSH FIRE.

IN THE MANAWATU GORGE. TRAINS HELD TJP. CBX TELBQBAPH — SPECIAL 10 THI POST.) PALMERSTON N., This "Day. A big busli fire is blazing in theManatvatu Gorge. Ifc has been in progress since Saturday. During Saturday afternoon a burning log of considerable size fell from high out on the hillside on to the railway line, blocking the permanentTray. Later, the fire reached the scrub near the line, and then set fire to a culvert. The burning strip of country extended several chains, and under the influence of the wind the flames -worked over in the direction of Dannevirke. The 4 p.m. goods train from Palmerston North first encountered the obstructing log. Platelayers in the Gorge saw the danger, and stopped the train, and then the men set to work to clear the line and repair the culvert. The 5.30 p.m. passenger train remained at Ashhurst till the 4 p.m. train had reached Woodville. Both these and the 7.50 p.m. from Woodville to Palmerston North were delayed for two houii., and the 10.45 passenger train from Woodville half-aniour. SALVATION ARMY WORK. o INEBRIATES' HOMES. [BY TELEGSAPH — SPECIAL XO THE POST.I PALMERSTON NORTH, This Day. Speaking at the Salvation Army fareiwell to Lieutenant-Colonel' Knight yesterday, Brigadier Bray, secretary for the Men's Social Affairs, reviewed the genesis and work of the Home foi Inebriates on Rotorua Island, lately purchased by the Army, where last week Colonel Knight opened a new home capable of 'accommodatiing IDO persons. At present seventy-four inmate 3 whc had been commrDteed under the four clauses of the latest Act in connection with social reform were housed there. The brigadier said the home was the most up-to-date on these lines in Australasia. In the old home on Pakatoa Island, which proved too small, and where the work was carried on for some years, the statistics showed that 33 per cent, of cures had been obtained. This was in the face of the fact that, under the old Act, only the very worst types o! inebriates were sent to the home. These results were most gratifying to the army. BURNED TO DEATH. [BI TEX.IGEAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.'] ROTORUA, This Day. In connection with the burning to death of William Gordon in a whare near Cookson's stables, the tragedy occurred on, Saturday morning. About 9 o'clock on that morning deceased was found absent from his usual post at the stable at 40 mile peg, on the mail and passenger coach road between Rotorua and Taupo.- Mr. Graham, motorman for the mail company, observed that the hut in Avhich deceased had resided, had been • burned down. On making investigation lie discovered several horses harnessed in the stable and some not harnessed. A eearch was made at the burnt building, and under the debris was found the remains of deceased. Evidently whilst engaged in harnessing his horses he saw his hut on fire, and rushing in, probably with the object of saving some of his eilects, was overcome by the flames or by the roof- falling in. Deceased was much respected. He had been in the employ of the Royal Mail Company for the past two -or three years as stableman at the place where he met his untimely end. He was single and about bt> years of age. He has a brother and sister at Wanganui.