BUSH FIRES RAGING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 6

BUSH FIRES RAGING

FIERCE FIGHT WITH FLAMES BUILDINGS, TIMBER. AND FENCING DESTROYED. SETTLERS’ ANXIOUS TIME. Per Press Association. CARTERTON, December 17. Bush fires in the Tararuas swept 3CO to 500 acres. Mr Thompson, at the foot of Mount Holdsworth, lost a woolshed. Mr Blatchford and party fought the flames from the cowbails, wool shed, and house from 8.30 on Sunday morning tih 4 o’clock this morning without cessation, and succeeded in saving all the buildings. Milas of fencing have been destroyed, and losses of stock are anticipated. Hares, rabbits, birds, and opossums are reported dead in numbers. Th 9 wind has now ceased, and the fires are in hand. FARM BUILDINGS BURNT GISBORNE, December 17. Bush fires are causing considerable damage in the back country in the Matawai district. Farm buildings and a small school have been destroyed and sheep lost. Damage is also reported at Wharekopae and the East Coast. The weather continues dry, with a high wind. ANOTHER MILL DEBTROYED Per Pres® Association. INVERCARGILL, December 17. Young Brothers’ sawmill, at Orawia, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night, together with 100,000 feet of timber. There was no insurance. This is the fourth mill in the Waiau district during tho past three weeks which has been burnt. Bush fires covered a large area, but are now under control. The dry spell and high winds made firefighting arduous and difficult.