TERRIBLE BUSH FIRE AT STRATFORD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5390, 9 January 1886, Page 2

TERRIBLE BUSH FIRE AT STRATFORD.

THE PROPERTY DESTROYED.

[knited press association.]

Wellington, January 7.

_ A special message to the Hawera Star gives the following additional information with reference to the fire at Stratford. The fire, which seems to have lasted only four or five hours, came across the cleared space forming the township from the mountain, from which direction it had been blowing all day. It must have been terrific in its forces to judge from the appearance of everything. Imagine a space one mile square covered with logs and stumps in one huge blaze, with smoke rising in dense volumes, and some idea can be obtained of what it was like. This is the description given by those who saw it, for they say that there was not a stump but was alight. As these literally lie round the doors of houses, and large lumps of lighted timber blew about everywhere, it is a miracle that any house remains. It was only by constant watching and battling with the destroying element by constantly pouring water on the logs that it was kept down, and even this was fast wearing out the energies of the combatants, who, with the combined effects of smoke and fire, were almost blinded and suffocated. In fact if the wind had not changed the whole place must have gone. As it was, parties had to keep relieving one another by going down to the swamp, and obtaining a little fresh air, which was the only place where it could be obtained. Although fortunately damage to the town is comparatively light, I might say literally that almost half the houses in the neighborhood are destroyed or very much injured. So far intelligence is to a great extent uncertain. People are snpposed to be camping out in the green bush to save their lives, and not all of them have come in up to the present. However, I have information, more or less authentic, of no less than twenty-one different places being burnt, the damage to which it is difficult at present to estimate; but it must be run into L7OOO or LBOOO at least. The fire appears to have started up the Opunake road last week, when it spread, and Mr James had a narrow escape of losing his place, burned down since then. It has been gradually spreading, and as the wind rose yesterday, it made rapid strides, running across country from Midhurst to Eltham in a terrible manner. The appearance of the township is pitiable. Those houses that are standing have all adjuncts burnt or carried away, and in many instances the building itself is charred, and was only saved by determined drenching on the part of the inmates. Animals are reported to have been burnt in all directions, and I have seen already several cases in which pigs have been burnt alive, andflowls, etc., scorched up. Nearly all the cattle and horses shifted for themselves, and are missing, the fences being burnt down and the animals having to clear for their lives hourly. Persons are coming in from the back with sad tales of houses and furniture burnt rudely before their eyes and their little all torn from them, while they themselves had to hurry from the scene. However, no cases of death are reported, although one or two are missing. Nearly everyone that passed through the fire is blind or partially so, and this morning I have witnessed a sad spectale of strong men being led into town by those more fortunate than themselves, not being able to open their eyes at all. They hold up bravely, however, under their misfortune, although in many cases so dazzled by the smoke and excitement that they fell like drunken men. My own eyes are badly damaged, and I can imagine from that what it must have been for those in the thick of it. So far the following are the places that I have ascertained, as nearly as can be, to be destroyed with all their contents : —

In the township of Stratford — Town Hall, Stanley's house, Bowman's house, Hunter's house, Curtis's kerosene store (containing gun powder and kerosene), Mulbree's slaughter yard, Kirkpatrick's outhouses and fences right up to the doors, Brannighan's outhouses and yard, Roger's house, Collins's stables and fencing, Hacket's outhouses, fences, &c. Pembroke road — Hill Bro's heuse, Woodruffs house, Friend's outhouses, &c, and Moore's outhouse and timber.

Opunake road — Sharrock's house, Northcote's house, Saunders's house and Stanford's house, East road ; Band's outhouses, &c. ; Oates's house, Flint road ; Parrett's house and Brook's road bridge, being erected by Standing and Furners, and nearly finished ; and all the timber and plant ; M'Milltn's house and outhouses, Kennedy's outhouses, cattle, and everything but the house and grass shed and contents, near the township ; Saytor's boarding house on the Main road, M'Davitt's house, Tontey's fences and the adjunct to the Stratford Hotel, and Curtis's on the Opunake road, were destroyed. A hole was burnt in the house o F Christian and Patterson, bush fellers, wholost their blankets, clothing and swags. News of smaller cases are continually coming in. It is expected that there wiil be several more losses between Kaiour's and Stratford, as fires are raging very fiercely. Last night when some horsemen were passing both Ware's and Blake's places, they were in great danger, and also Maloney's and Codley's places on the Flint road. It is -ho expected that there will be several fresh cases on the Opunake

r — —^ — toad, and to the east of the township, as far as Captain Lund's homestead. No loss of human<life is yet recorded, but most people have suffered burns, and many injury to their eyes owing to • the smoke. Mr Sharrock, a settler, who workedshard all day, and was brought down by the special here, is Beriously ill. _ A good many people are, as yet, missing. The Borough Council of Hawera he d a special meeting this morning, and appointed a committee to look after the homeless who have been brought here. New Plymouth, January 8. A^public meeting was held at noon for the purpose of arranging how to provide for the burnt out sufferers at Stratford. It was largely attended, and over L2OO was subscribed in the room. A special train goes at one o'clock for Midhurst with a large force of volunteers. Inglewood, about 10 miles from Midhurst, is all right at present. The Fire Brigade is at Midhurst. Hawera, January 8. A telegram received here states that there is danger of an outbreak of fire at Etham, and that Midhurst is also in danger. No casualties are as yet reported at either place. Later. Advices from Stratford report that the fires have not revived, but all is blackness and desolation for miles. All the fences have gone and the settlers' cattle have'got away into the back country, and their recovery is almost hopeless. Most of the homeless who were brought to Hawera have been removed to New Plymouth, but some, who are badly injured, remain behind under medical treatment. A snbscription list has been started in Hawera, and the ladies of Hawera and Manaia are busy at work making clothes for the people, most of whom are absolutely penniless and naked. A special to the Taranahi Herald says that Midhurst is in danger, and is requesting more help from New Plymouth. A special train is required to get the women and children into town. Although the Mayor applied at noon yesterday for a special train to go to Stratford, no permission was received by the stationmaster to run on till nearly five o'clock. The extent of the fire is four miles towards the mountain, five miles inland, twelve miles towards Hawera, and two miles towards Inglewood. Two or three premises near Midhurst (a town three miles from Stratford), have also been burnt. Many of the escapes have been heart-rending. The destruction to property is fully LIO,OOO. The fire is said to have commenced afresh this morning; at Midhurst. There are no signs of rain, although the glass is falling here.