BUSH FIRE CASUALTIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1939, Page 7

BUSH FIRE CASUALTIES

DEAD TOTAL 72 "SAFETY FIRST" LEGISLATION [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPERIGHT.] (Recd. January 21, 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 21. An official check of the casualties in the bush fires shows that 70 persons lost their lives. Two are still missing, and are believed to be dead. So widespread were the fires that deaths occurred in 19 distinct areas. The latest relief fund figures show £ 105,000 was raised, with much more still to come. It was decided, to-day, that the fund be used only for relief, not compensation, replacement dr rehabilitations.

The Premier (Mr Dunstan) returning after a two-day inspection of the fire areas, said that he would introduce legislation to compel the construction of safety dug-outs at mills in all the timber areas. The concentration of mill workers in model townships would be consdered shortly. Mr Dunstan said he was appalled at the extent of the damage seen in his 500-inil.e. tour... Every effort would be made to salvage as much 'burnt timber as possible, but it was apparent that a million pound’s would not cover the loss of the beautiful forests.

“For the third time we will build Noojee, bigger and better than ever,” said the spokesman of the town, when Mr Dunstan arrivjed there. “Noojee will rise again from its ashes,” the spokesman added. Many residents in the burnt-out towns have already camped, and are preparing to rebuild. One mill-owner told the Premier that before the fire there were 800 million superficial feet of timber available in the Tanjil district. Much could be saved if cut immediately, but the former mill site is useless. Roads and new tramways are needed, with Government help. The Government’s policy to restore the mill industry will be considered shortly. FLOODS IN THE WEST. (Received January 21, 11.30 a.m.) KALGOORLIE, January 21. Further torrential rains have fallen over the northern goldfields. Kalgoorlie is now isolated, by floods, from all centres. Railway lines have been washed away and roads are blocked. The transcontinental express to the Eastern States was unable to leave, while the incoming express' was held up at Karonie, owing to 80 washaways. -

A terrific cloudburst in the Lawler district flooded the country. Lawler has received IS inches of rain in the past week. Its mean annual rainfall is seven inches.

EMPLOYMENT IN N.Z.

AUCKLAND, January 21.

A determined effort is being made by timber workers’ organisations in New Zealand, in co-operation with the Sawmillers’ Federation, to find employment in the Dominion for some millhands and bushworkers, w r ho have been thrown out of work by the recent Victorian bush fires.

A cablegram received by Mr F. Craig, secretary of the Auckland Timber Workers’ Union, from Mr W. Scanlon, secretary of the Victorian Union, in reply to the offer of possible assistance, states that 1000 men in the timber industry in Victoria, are unemployed, and asks if it is possible to find’jobs for some of these men in New Zealand. The cable message also says that financial assistance would be much appreciated. It is thought that prospects are good for finding jobs for at least 100 men from Victoria.