GREAT DESTRUCTION '

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1912, Page 7

GREAT DESTRUCTION '

♦ SWELTERING TIME IN AUSTRALIA. ENORMOUS DAMAGE BY BUSH FIRES MEN UNFIT FOR DUTY. By telegraph.— Preos Association.— Copyright. MELBOURNE. 4th February. The heat wave i» unbroken, 103d«g. being registered in the city yesterday. Heavy smoke from bush fires adds t« the discomfort. Eighteen letter-carriers have been prostrated, and many railway employe** have roported unfit for duty owing 4q the heat. Hundreds of people are idle in varloui occupations for a similar reason. FIRE FIGHTERS OVERCOME. . .VESSELS DELAYED OWING TQ SMOKE. (Received February 5, 8.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Bush fires are everywhere. Wide areas of grass and farm buildings homesteads, and stock have bee^ destroyed. One fire in tho Victoria ranges was seven miles long. One farmer lost four hundred sheep. Mr. Payne, an apiarist, lost hie horn* and three hundred hives of bees. Many fire fighters were overcome by heat, some were badly burned, and others injured by falling limbs. Vessels have been delayed owing- to heavy smoke off the coast, and in «om& cases were compelled to anchor fov safety. ' SOME TALL HEAT REGISTERS'., (Received February 5, 8.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. ■ Sultry weather everywhere prevails. It is extremely hot in the western districts, and there have been many tal' registers. At Wentworth 114 degree* were registered. UNDER CONTROL IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE. (Received February 5, 8.20 a.m.) ' ADELAIDE, This Day. ' The fires -which were devastating tho hill districts arc now under control. The damage is estimated at £100,000, including the loss of much stock. HEAT INTENSE IN HOBART. (Received February 5, 8.10 a.m.)" HOBART, This Day." There arc destructive bush fires on the hills, round the city. Three cottages and a box factory at' Gardner's Bay were destroyed. • Similar reports are being received Irom many parts of the island. Shipping is dislocated owing to thq dense smoke off the coast, and the heal} ia intense.