LOSSES IN FIRES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 45, 21 January 1939, Page 9

LOSSES IN FIRES

70 PERSONS PERISHED.

SAFETY DUG-OUT PLANS. CHECK IN VICTORIA. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 21, 8.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, Jan. 20. An official check of the casuallies in the bush fires shows that 70 persons lost their lives and two, still missing, are believed to be dead. So widespread were 1 he fires that the deaths occurred in 19 distinct areas. The latest relief fund figures show that £105,000 has been raised and there is much more still to come.

It was decided to-day that the fund should be used only for relief and not for compensation, replacement, or rehabilitation.

The Premier (Mr A. A. Dunstan), returning from liis two-day inspection of tho firo areas, said that legislation to compel the introduction of safety dug-outs in the mills in all the timber areas and the concentration of the mill workers in model townships would be considered shortly. Mr Dunstan said lie had been appalled at the extent of the damage seen in his 500-milc tour. Every effort would be made to salvage as much of the burnt timber as possible, but it was apparent that a million pounds would not cover the loss of the beautiful forests.

REBUILDING FOR THIRD TIME. “For the third time we will build Noojee bigger and better than ever,” said the spokesman of the town when Mr Dunstan arrived there. “Noojee will rise again from its ashes,” the spokesman added.

Manv of the residents of the burntout towns arc already camped and arc preparing to rebuild. One mill-owner told the Premier that, before the fire, there were 800,000,000 superficial feet of timber available in the Tanjil district. Much could be saved if it could he cut immediately, but the former mill site is useless. Roads and new tramways are needed with Government ,1C| The Government’s policy for restoring the mill industry will be considered shortly-'