BUSH FIRES IN HAWKL'S BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 12

BUSH FIRES IN HAWKL'S BAY.

SERIOUS DAMAGE REPORTED.

NAPIER, March 17. Extensive bush fires are raging over all the district between Dannevirko and Taka-" pau and inla-.id to Makaretu, Ashley-Clinton, Blackburn, Norsewocd, and other jjlaccs. Considerable damage has already been done in several places to houses aud property, and as there is a very strong wind blowing fears are enter. ained that veiy much more damage will be done. The express train from Wellington was dilayed nearly an hour and aha'.f to-night owing to bush fires at OrmondMile and at Gammon's Siding, about threa miles on the south side of Tairnnau, where* the fire was so close that some of tho sleepers oil the railway line were burnt away. Bartholomew's cawmill at Takapau has been completely destroyed, as also four cottages at Gammon's Siding, a house afc Ashley-Clinton, one at ilakaretu, a house* and woolshed at Blackburn, a woolshed at Noi - sewood, and it is rumoured that a larjje homestead at Norsewood Las also gone. The full extent of the loss up to the present it is impossible to estimate, as the smoke is sr thick as to make travelling difficult, but unless rain conies shortly the position is likely to become serious. The sceuo at night, is described as awe-inspiring in the* extreme, the whole ' horizon glowing with, minarets of fire as far as the eye can reach.