BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 19 February 1908, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

A TOAVN IN DARKNESS. HEAVY LOSSES. Press Association. NEAV PLYMOUTH, Feb. 18. 'The town and district have been in semi-darkness all afternoon, and the sun is completely obscured with snio’ke, and the heat is stifling. It is impossible to distinguish oven buildings distant a hundred yards. A gale from the south has been' blowing all day, and is now increasing in volume. It seems to have re-started the fires in all directions, hut so far it is impossible to get details of any particular losses, but reports now reaching town indicate that the dairy factories are in danger, and that several families have been burnt out, and are being brought into town. Heavy losses in stock arc anticipated.

ENVELOPED IN SMOKE. Press Association. ROTORUA, Feb. 18. 'I lie weather is exceedingly warm, and the town is enveloped in smoke from the bush tires all round. Considerable damage lias been done to sawmill tram lines at Alamaku. NEARING NEW PLYMOUTH. CHILDREN CUT OFF BY THE FIRE. PREPARING FOR THE WORST. Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 18. Latest reports (II p.m.) indicate .that tires are very serious in the country, 'but communication is cut off in many districts, and details are not .procurable. At Oi»uii the tires are raging in all directions, and settlers are fighting the flames under distressing conditions. Reports from jilgmont village are meagre, but it is understood that children Lave been unable to get (home from some schools in tho locality. Alany settlers’ wives and families have left their homes, and arrived in the townships safely'. Hillsborough Dairy Factory is reported to he doomed. The fires in the Ratanui district are within four miles of Now Plymouth. >. 5

The Uru/ti district is one huge forest of fire, and everyone is preparing for the worst.

The fires are raging fiercely in all directions at Tongaporutu nnd Punifio, and the settlers have sent their ‘families out of the danger zone, many leaving their homes with wearing apparel only, trusting to good fortune .to 6a ve their homes. The Kahui Road Saw Alills are threatened, and the Newall Road .School in the midst of the fire is in .imminent danger. All the roads are ablaze, and the fortunes of the settlers are not ascertainable. The wind shows no sign of abatement, «’-d the volume of smoko is undiminish'd. Suburban residents are taking precautions in case of fire during the piglit, the fire brigade and the telephone office being kept on duty.

'HOAXES IN PERIL

Pre s Association. PALMERSTON N„ Feb. 18. Palmerston* is enshrouded in smoke, and so is FeiUing, and many settlers’ homes in the ranges are in peril. The Alanawatu E ver, at Aloutoa, is lower than ever before known, and is only three fe-t at the deep plnces. As the small steamers can no longer get un, dress d flax is accumulating at the”mills, and there is danger from ,the fires. Hie millers have put a wire rope acriss the river bed, and .are sending 2do bales of fibre over singly, tand ending it down to Foxfan. Tbe Ma kern a swamp is being patrolled, and all drains are being blocked to bo’d the water as fire breakers.