CRASS AND BUSH FIRES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 8

CRASS AND BUSH FIRES.

DAMAGE IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT.

NUMEROUS SHEEP SURROUNDED

(By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 21.

Bush fires in the Raglan district have spread rapidly during the last 24 hours and a great deal of damage has been done to the pastures and fencing at Teuku and Kauroa. A large tract of bush country is now menaced by the flames. Numerous sheep have been surrounded by the fire, and it is feared that many animals have perished. The farmers are busy fighting the fire. Until the sheep have been mustered tho extent of the loss cannot be ascertained. Numerous grass fires have occurred in Hamilton lately and property has been endangered. Peat fires, which are . spreading in the vicinity of Morrinsvilie, have resulted in the destruction of a fourroomed house oil the Piako Road, owned by Mr Vaile, of Masterton, and occupied by Mr O..Jeebe, junior. Mr Jeebe was absent at the time. The flames spread from tho burning peat to long dry grass that surrounded the house and gained a strong hold before the outbreak was discovered by neighbours. A belated attempt was made to beat out the flames, but the wind was too strong. There was only time to remove tho furniture before the building was enveloped in the flames and demolished. Extensive fires which broke out on wattle tree plantations owned by the Taupiri, Coal Mines, Ltd., on the Rangiriri Hills, have been stamped out. A large body of men worked hard in isolating the more serious outbreaks all Thursday night! The damage to the Taupiri area amounts to many thousands of pounds. The trees on the Pukemiro plantation are not covered by insurance, but the loss will be very much less than on the Taupiri Company’s property. Definite reports of tho extent of tho damage have not yet been received yet at the Auckland offices from the company’s rangers.