Bush Fires in the North.

Hastings Standard, Issue 215, 8 January 1897, Page 2

Bush Fires in the North.

«, NARROW ESCAPE FROM BUSH FIRES. [By Telegraph.] (Per Press Assucititinit,) Auckland, Jan. 7. Large bush fires have been raging in the Whaugamata district during the past few days, and it is feared that a large amount of kauri timber has been destroyed in Darrow's and Kilgour's bush in the Wharekawa Valley. Along the wires where there is a large extent of decayed bush, and in the vicinity of Golden Mount camp very heavy fires are in progress, and it is feared they will do considerable damage to miner's camps in the immediate vicinity. Farther particulars are to hand regarding the bush fires at Wharekawa. Owing to a phenomenal drought fires have raged all along ihe east coast of the peninsula, but in Tairua and \\ hangamata they have been most destructive, particularly so iu the locality known as Wharekawa, where Leylaud and O'Brien's timber and floatage rights exists. Sub-contractors had a large number of cut logs in the creeks, and it is stated the damage done to timber and dams will amount to several hundred pounds. The few scattered settlers in the atlected district have had an exciting time during the last few days. The roar of the fire could bo heard several miles away. A plucky action is reported on the part of a settler's wife. As the lire advanced she went to a hut where some dynamite was stored and buried the explosive to keep it out of reach of tho flame. Extensile bush tires have been raging in Kennedy's Bay for the past two weeks. Ihiring the holidays the Bay View camp and one or two other whares have been destroyed. Some of the nun who started work on the ranges had to take refuge in Bay \ iew tunnel, as all other means of escape were cut off.