MEREMERE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3751, 21 January 1898, Page 2

MEREMERE.

(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Since my last we have had a long spell of dry weather, which has dried up the grass and made it an eaßy matter to spread fire. On the 12th inst. Messrs Nicholson and Geary fired their bushsome 250 acres. At first, after being lit, it looked as if no harm would result, but as the fire got near the end of the | clearing the wind rose to half a gale, and the fire, leaving the bush, swept up the adjoining paddocks with great fury. All hands tried to battle it out of Mrs Piper's fine crop of cooksfoot but that had to be abandoned to save the homesteads. The wind increased instead of diminishing as night came on. At one time Peterson's woolshed was in danger, and so all the wood and grass seed was removed and stacked at a distance and covered with wet sacking. All the . buildings were completely surrounded by fire all night and next day ; by then j they were out of extreme danger and afterwards safe. Mr Piper is a considerable loser as the fire went through twothirds of his crop. Mr D. Williams' milk cart met with disaster near the factory. By some cause it ran into the bank and was badly smashed. The driver and milk were thrown out on the bank, together with a little son of Mr Williams, who had a narrow escape as a can of milk fell on him. Another couple has wedded and settled among us. Mr Thorburn has just returned from Nelson with his bride, and we all heartily welcome them. Another example to bachelors ! The Council are about to improve our roads by stumping, &c. We all hope they will be in better form for next winter. Mr Wilton is removing his house to .a more convenient site on his section. The new site will be very healthy, with an extensive view and more convenient for working the farm. Mr Forlong gave a lecture in the schoolroom on missionary work, which was interesting, instructive, and highly appreciated.