DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES NEAR NAPIES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 3432, 30 December 1885, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES NEAR NAPIES.

(by telegraph.) Namer, December 29. Bnsh fires continue to spread in nil directions, and almost hourly reports arrive of homesteads burned, etack destroyed, and large tracts of grass land devastated. Smoke hangs over the country like a black pall, making it nearly as black as night, and it is impossible to ascertain difinitely the damage dono in -the more remote districts. The township of Makatoka is Burrounded, and to-day 50 volunteer firemen, with an 'engino and other appliances left Napier for that township to endeavor to save proporty, Tne Government gave free pawes to the firemen, and ran a speoial train. " ; When the last train left Makatoka, at 2 o'clock to-day, the country was obscured by smoke. Nothing could be seen, but it was known that at least twelve houses in and near the township, as well as Gundries' large saw mill, had been totally destroyed, and news was brought of freßh fires having broken out. The Herald's special correspondent at Makatoka, telegraphed at 10 o'olook that the brigade and engine arrived at 8.45. There was at tho timo of the despatch of the message no wind, and the fire wns not spreading, but fears were entertained that if tllo wind rose again, the railway station and many othor buildings will go. The sohoolhouso is threatened, and the fire is raging round Parson's mills, but communication is out off by fire. Very little water is available, and the brigade were unablo to cope with the fire, which is raging over an area of six square miles. The fireman aro at present directing their attention to saving the buildings most threatened.