TOLL OF BUSH FIRES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 21 January 1939, Page 5

TOLL OF BUSH FIRES

70 DEAD AND TWO MISSING RELIEF FUND OVER £IOO,OOO VICTORIAN PREMIER TOURS AREA [U.P.A.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! MELBOURNE, 20th January. An official check of casualties in the bush fires shows that 70 persons lost their lives and that two are still missing, believed dead. So widespread were the fires that death occurred in 19 distinct areas, The latest relief fund figures show that £105,000 has been raised and much mo’e is still to come. It was decided to-day that the fund be ; sod only for relief and not compeniatJ.cn, re placement or rehabilitatin'!.

The Premier, Mr Dunstan, reluming from a Iwo-day inspection of the fire areas, said legislation to compel the construction of safety dug-outs at mills in all timber areas and the concentration of mill workers in model townships would be considered shortly. Mr Dunstan said he was appalled at the extent of the damage seen on his 500-mile toiir.

Every effort will be made to salvage r<s nv-ch of the burnt timber as possible but it is apparent that £1,000,000 w-11 not cover the loss of beautiful forests. “For the third time we will build Noojee, bigger and better than ever," said n spokesman in the town when Mr Dunstan arrived there. “Noojee will rise again from the ashes." Many residents of burnt-out towns are already camped preparing to rebuild, One millowner 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 cut immediately but the former mill site was useless. Roads and new tramways were needed. The Government’s policy for restoring the mill industry will be considered shortly.