THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8491, 18 January 1908, Page 5

THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.

Per Press Association. - MASTERTON, This Dav. A somewhat phenomenal fall took place in the temperature last night. After*the, recent intense heat the thermometer showed one degree below freezing point. The weather to-day is fine and the air cool. The clanger "from the spread of log and grass lires is averted (-face Thursday night's rain. DESTRUCTION OF GAMMAN'S MILL. The Dannevirke Advocate gives the following details of the fire' which destroyed Gamman's mill at Rakaiatai: — The bush fires raged fiercely through the northern, end of the Ota,nga block on Thursday afternoon, and fanned by the strong breeze blowing spread with great rapidity, and soon it was certain that the mill and surrounding buildings would be right in the course of the fire. The mill engine and steam pump were set to work, and everything on the side of the mill from which the fire was approaching was saturated with water. At about seven o'clock the workers saw with apprehension a great bank of smoke and fire approaching them, and despite their efforts in" a few minutes everything was a mass of fire. The women and children were hurried out into an open paddock with whatever bedclothing could be secured,, and a small quantity of food was also secured from the cook-house. In a short time the mill and buildings were one mass of smouldering embers, the heat from which was terrific. It i 9 estimated that about £2000 worth of sawn timber was destroyed, besides the mill machinery, and the belongings of those who lived near the mill. Not a building was left standing. Aa far as could be ascertained none of the mill horses were burned, but a large number of fowls and several pigs were destroyed. When morning came, after a very dreary night, most-of those at the mill went across to Makotuku, where they will reside temporarily.