THE BUSH FIRES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 2

THE BUSH FIRES.

A correspondent of the Auckland Star, telegraphing from Taumarunui on Wednesday, stated : — I made a special trip to enquire into and see for myself the fires, and found that several fires had burnt a lot of bush, but in some cases, instead of being a disaster, it would be a blessing. Mr. J. Taylor, of Piriaka, had a narrow escape of has home being burnt, and set far as could bo ascertained no other settlers had suffered. At Kakahi tho fires had swept in a few places across the road, and patches of bush have been burnt, but nothing serious. There is no doubt that a lot of totara belonging to the Government has been destroyed, and from the bush destroyed timber was brought to toe old mill, which also belongs to t.he_ Government. If the fine weather continues, and a high wind sets ■up, it is impossible to say what may happen. The country all round is dried up, and presents a very barren appearance. At Owhanga things are much more serious, the fires raging fiercely, and a strong wind blowing. Tn-e whole country is enveloped in smoke and. flames, and the settlers are in a slate of unrest, and having a very anxious time. Trees have been blown right across the roads in several places, but these have been removed, and one can get through. At night a very ,vivid picture is presented, the huge flames, sweeping all before them, lighting the coiuitry for a very considerable distance.