NUHAKA BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 802, 17 January 1903, Page 2

NUHAKA BUSH FIRES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Since my last report these fires have been burning fieicaiy far and wide, and several settlers will incur losses they are ill-prepared to bear ; but happily, though greatly endangered, no homesteads were destroyed, nor has loss of life to their owners or injury to the members of their families been sustained. Many conflict-

ing statements have been published, and much anxiety and distress have thereby been needlessly created. The rumor that one of the Coop brothers had been missing in the burning bush on their holding had no foundation whatever. This I learn from their own lips. At present the winds are lulled to rest, the fires are not a cause of immediate danger, and the temperature ‘ has lowered materially. There are good reasons for hoping that the details of the losses circulated have been over-estimated in some cases. Much fencing has been burnt, and the stock of various owners that have escaped the fires are running at large, and until a general muster takes place the number of sheep destroyed cannot be accurately stated. Friday morning. A welcome and steady rain is now falling, which will effectually quench all bush fires, and also be beneficial to the feed.