LOSSES AT RAETIHI

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 69, 21 March 1918, Page 3

LOSSES AT RAETIHI

HOROPITO TOTALLY DESTROYED

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSCCIATION.)

OHAKUNE, 20th March.

In the fire area there is still a strong wind blowing, although intermittent •rains have reduced the fierceness of the fires. Raetihi is still burning. All reports says that Mr. J. S. Ashmore's house was tho first to go, followed by the Nursing Home, the Town Board's, office, and electrical store rooms, the Waimarino County offices, and Anderson's butchery. Then the Anglican Church and vicarage, the Methodist; Church, and tho Roman Catholic Church went. The town was encircled with fire, buildings going on all sides. The Raetihi Sash and Door Works, with their recently-installed machinery, and oil adjacent buildings, rapidly fell. Mr. Pratt's residence, Wallace's new stables, Mr. Tustin's beautiful residence, unit Brown's stables wore simply licked up in the fire's progress. Fagg's store and house went.

The Maori pa on the other side of the river was wiped clean out. Merson's mill and Peterson's mills were completely destroyed. The only mills not destroyed sire Perhnm and Larsen's and R. "W. Smith's, although the men's houses around both were burned.

The loss of stock is very great. A freshening wind is again fanning the fires into violent action.

Horopito is totally destroyed. Many

terrible experiences are related by refusees who are flocking into Taihape.

Relief funds were 7>rouiptly started, and ralief parties, headed by Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., arrived on the scene of distress early this morning with huge supplies of -oread, butter, meat, clothing,' and drug?. slr. Bishop donated £10.

While driving sheer; from this district to Kariot, two drovers, Banks and Cooper, were blinded, and are coming into hospital.

South of Taihane, at Ohutu. Mr. Cilelivist, also Mr. Crown, had their woolsheds destroyed. The Box Company's works are safe. Mr. C Campbell's shed and yards were destroyed.

Fire fighting ;hr.s recommenced with vigour in every threatened area. There are no fires near Taihnp-e. The town and suburbs are quite safe.