VICTORIAN FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 7

VICTORIAN FIRES

THE WORST NOW OVER TWO PEOPLE STILL MISSING MANY FAMILIES HOMELESS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MELBOURNE, Jan. 11. The wind came from the south all day and night, and the danger has lessened The fears for the safety of about 22 persons were relieved as one by one they emerged, many severely burned, and in the last stages of exhaustion, from the fire-swept area. All had amazing stories of escapes from death. Only two are now missing, leaving the total death roll at 20.

Hundreds of families are homeless, their only possessions being the charred clothing they are wearing. At Rubicon alone 50 families, with more than 150 children, are destitute. Great public sympathy is being shown to the victims. Contributions of money are pouring in for the relief fund. The Argus newspaper alone has raised £ 5000 in three days since the appeal opened. DEATHS FROM HEAT SEVEN ON WEDNESDAY SYDNEY, Jan. 12. Seven persons died in New South Wales yesterday. Since the heat wave started 16 have died in Victoria. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), assisted by his four daughters, a son, and others, fought a scrub fire which threatened to destroy his home at Devonport (Tasmania). The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has accepted an offer by the Lord Mayor of Sydney to open a fund to help the sufferers from the bush fires. SMOKE HAZE IN AUCKLAND (Per - United Press association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 12. Dull, cloudy weather, with an unusual orange-yellow light, experienced in Auckland during the day, is presumed to have been caused by smoke from the Australian bush fires which has drifted across the Tasman Sea. The westerly disturbances ruling at present have evidently carried the smoke across the ocean, forming a thick haze in the sky. This phenomenon was experienced some years ago when the Commonwealth meteorologist stated that smoke could travel further than to New Zealand from Victoria. The smoke haze was also reported at Whangarei.

MORE VICTIMS OF HEAT NINETEEN IN TWO DAYS SYDNEY, Jan. 12. (Received Jan. 13, at 1 a.m.) Twelve deaths from heat were reported in New South Wales country towns to-day, making 19 in two days. Inland towns are roasting, and the inhabitants have had no relief for more than two weeks. In some places in the far west temperatures have soared over the century for nearly a month. Pastures are burned up and domestic water sunplies are extremely short. The Victorian bushfires spread into New South Wales to-day and claimed the first victim, Mr William Underhill, aged 66, at Bega. His brother, Mr J. Underhill, is secretary of the Associated Racing Clubs in Sydney. Although fires are still burning in many parts of Victoria, the south wind kept them away from new areas. The forecast, however, is for two days of scorching north winds, which are expected to renew the danger to-morrow. No more deaths have been reported. The last missing men were found to-day.