DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15822, 20 January 1915, Page 9

DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES.

OUTBREAK NEAR PAHIATUA.

LARGE SAWMILL BURNED.

RESIDENCES IX

ASHES

BRIDGES DESTROVED

HEAVY LOSS OF STOCK

r B T IC.LOR.VTU —OWN i. ORttE«rOND'i>"l ]

Pahiatta. Tuesday. \< the vcjii'.! of grass and log fires in ,|,e Akitio < ounty. towards the East l"o«ft, between Panncvirko and Pahiatua.

an extensile area has been almost mmtletelv svci't. leaving a blackened trail ,'.' (ie\aM3i:"U and ruin.

y. .= line been prevalent, but quies- .„,,;. for a month or two. but yesterday , ......v si on; wii:d suddenly developed. and in n !■•' 1. t:is the country side was • j-.iaze. >' :, fames rushing over the dried ~p pasture.-, licking up miles upon miles ,-,- fencing, and making short work of the juhk-tat'.ttai r-tvuctures in its path. Population Taken by Surprise. X;>o wind re ' so quickly and the flames Spread >' rapidly that the scattered r .p._'-.'ii>'ii had no time to arrange a confuted campaign t. minimise the loss or aver; the io;.es.-, of the flames. Hence. ,',,, loss o:' buildup's, bridges, and stock ,= considerable, and exceeds that caused t".- anv previous devastation of the kind. Several districts were swept, and the f.ro reached to within a mile of Pougaroa : ! v largest township in the county — but was form.lately carried to the northfast. His"" heir, band; of willing workers assembled, and effective work was done in saving homesteads and other btiildiucrs. as well a.- in getting stock away to safety. Fierceness of the Flames. It was not possible to accomplish a ere*: deal in the saving of stock,through t!ie s-. ircity of water and the fierceness p; the flames, which ere fanned by the bi?h wind and fed by mile upon mile of dry crass and the many acres of stumps and felled and standing bush. The atmosphere a; tiui-'s was almost stifling, and the dense clouds of smoke obscured the vision, j [lie settlers and their helpers watched ! c:ti.-ingly and unflinchingly under the \ perilous and fatiguing conditions, and it vas a tremendous relief when the gale abated towards evening, accompanied by a steady rain shower. This slackened the progress of the flames. The gale was the worst, in the history of this district. Sawmill and Buildings Burned. A large sawmill at Pukehinau, 12 miles Item Pongaroa. owned by Messrs. Gardner «nd Yeoman, together with the whole of the plant, stock of timber, two dwellinghouses and stables, was completely demolished. The damage is estimated at £0000. The flames simply roared through t'u? property, and tin? hands were pov.er- !■--- to render useful service. All the buildings on Eustege's property, owned by Mr. John Bowie, of Pukehinau, were redjced to ashes, nothing being left standing of the homestead and outbuildings. Mr. J. VI . Murray's fine residence at Pakowai. worth about £800. is reported to h " e been destroyed. The fire also swept through Mr. Mai Kaysei's ore hard, about a mile from Tongaroa, and did considerable damage. Mr. Billington's cheese factory, in tiie same locality, was in danger, but a gang of men removed all the material ana saved the premises. It was a close call, however, and tho destruction of the factory was averted only by the workers facing showers of sparks and blinding smoke. A small house on Mr. Davidson's propertv filled with hay was destroyed and the wool-shed and residence had a narrow escape. Miles of fencing and many outbuildings have alio gone. Store and Three Bridges Destroyed. Numerous dwellings were in danger from the flames, and the settlers had a very anxious time. A general store, smith;-. and stables, owned by Mr. Willcox, at Waimiro. was burned to the ground, despite all efforts to save the property. .;.!«: county bridges have been destroyed. Two of the bridges were largo structures, and v.cro situated in the Waione district, and the overseer and a body of men put forth great efforts to prevent their demolition, but with the limited appliances available the task was hopeless. The third bridge was at- Rakaunui, a>K;. as a result of the loss of these, vehicular traffic will be blocked from the outside districts till temporary provision ii made. Second Fire This Season. So tar it is not possible to gather any idea of the extent of stock lost, but the number is substantial. The destruction of the saw-mill makes the second mill burned this season, Johnston's being levelled by log tires a few months ago, when the damage we.s not so general, nor over such a vide area. Thus the Akitio settlers have suffered two attacks from log fires tins season. In addition, they have experienced a particularly long spell of dry father, and consequently have lost heavily. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. DESTRI'C'IION OF HOUSES. [EI IELLGRAI'H — ASSOCIATION".] Dax.veytrke, Tuesday. _ Repot horn the coastal districts indicate that extensile damage- has been ri'-ne there by the bush fires. In addition '" { he losses already announced the folJ -' :i g »eti] , a ..... reported to have had '■'"- residences and outbuilding destroyed: -Franklin Bros, and Mr. Murray. I ongaroa ; Gardiner and Yeoman, Wai"J, ir °. two hon.-es and mill ; Mr. Wilcox, storehouse and sniithv : A. ,"• J- David.-on and Small. 'Weber. h ' ■■■r-i dot roved.