BUSH FIRES IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 889, 15 March 1889, Page 30

BUSH FIRES IN CANTERBURY.

(PER .PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, March 9. Fires are still raging on Banks’ Peninsula. Knox’s house, at Akaroa, was destroyed, and a very large quantity of winter feed was burned. „ . , Serious bush and grass fires are reported from the Oxford district. On Friday a grass fire started on Henderson and Mcßeath s run, and burnt for six miles, destroying the stock of oats and a .quantity of feed belong, ing to Mr Jeffs ; also two stacks of oats and the fences belonging to Charles Thompson. A bush fire started near Cooper s Creek on Thursday night, and spread over two miles of country, destroying a large quantity or fencing, firewood, posts, and rails, &o. FA telegram from Akaroa this afternoon states that at Barry’s Bay almost all the winter feed has been burned, as well as many fences. The fire is still raging, and has just run round toward French Farm. A .very serious loss has been sustained. At Kaihi Mr Ayl mer's feed has been destroyed, as well as his sheep. Early this morning Mr A. Knox’s house was destroyed ; Mr G. Knoxs was saved with difficulty, all the furniture being removed in ca=e of accident. Yesterday and to-day parts of the Summitroad were impassable. A very large area of winter feed has been destroyed. The loss is estimated at hundreds of pounds. There is no knowing where the fires will spread to. Large fires broke out at be Bons Bay yester. day*