THE AUSTRALIAN FIRES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10573, 26 January 1906, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN FIRES.

APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE AND

PROPERTY,

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.) MELBOURNE, January 25. Old residents of South Gippsland, who nad many experience of bush tires describe the present outbreak as the most terrible ever witnessed. While not as widespread or as great as the fire of 1898, or as destructive of property, it transcends all others m tho appalling loss of life and the awful swiftness with which it swept over the country. It rushed over farms and clearings m an avalanche of fire, flames shooting up 150 feet.

It licked up forests of giant trees and dense scrub like magic. It wa s only a providential chango of wind that saved the township. Mr Olertison, president of the Shire Council, had a thrilling experience, and it is typical of many others. He was -(irking some distance from his house when lie saw the wall of fire bearing down on him. He ru.lied home, but the flames had hold of the homestead almoßt before the inmates could get out. Eight took refuge m a galvanised tank. With the aid of wet blankets they managed to survive the fierce ordeal, although stock were dropping dead with the intense heat.

(Received January 26, 9.37 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 26. The saving of Clemson'. family waa largely duo to the heroism of Clavariuo, an Italian, who, when the house contiguous to the tank took five, repeatedly extinguished the flames, although at euch effort his own clothes ignited. The heat became so intense that the women be. came hysterical, and had to be forcibly restrained from running straight into the flames.

The fire is still burning m the valley of the Little Franklyn. m one instance a whole farilily was saved tlirough taking refuge m a well. Thirty-two families are utterly homeless. These are authenticated cases, but tliere must be others, as it is difficult m the chaos that exists to get reliable news. The body of a man named Butler has been found. He was overcome whilst

trying to reach a relative's residence. Round Dayleeford the farmers are constructing fire breaks. It is feared if the wind freshens the fire will come from the westward.

A man named Lafranconi was severely burned and died at Nargoon. , Tlie eucalyptus distillery was completely destroyed at Mortlake, and an army of eight hundred was engaged all day m fighting the fire. Along the roads heaps of dead stock are being found.) The country from Hillend to Mcorim was laid waste on Tuesday. Practically all the settlers are homeless.

The heroism of a schoolmaster named Vales at Toora. saved 28 children. He collapsed again and again. He went through a veritable furnace to got water to pour on the blankets covering the children. Vales, interviewed, said the children obfeyed him and lay flat on tlio ground. Another mau and he kept the blankets wet. He got water from the burning school till it collapsed and then went through the blazing scrub to a creek. The boys helped him. When the fire was at its worst they ran under large logs, and Covered themselves with wet blankets, and as they caught they shifted to other logs. The school children stayed with him all night. Nine bodies were buried at Toora yes-

tcrday. Scales anil a- party of laborers, while scrub-cutting- at Binginwarrie, were surrounded by fire. Their horses were ridden fiercely^ but were so injured by file that they had to be shot. The men mund refuge m a water-hole, which gradually filled with burning branches. They were ih the water four hours. Ono mau, who became temporarily insane, was prevented by force from suicide. All ultima. &y escaped, but they were nearly blinddd and scalded.. The Government are sending £1000 to relieve the immediate necessities of sufferers by the Gippslund fires. SYDNEY, January 26. Mrs Walsh, returning from, a visit to her mother, accompanied by two children, got off the track m tine Warren district and Wandered about m the dreadful heat. Both children perished from heat and thirst. The demented mother was rescued.

At Condoblin (N.S.W.) last week tliere were most disastrous fires. The grass m the district 'was the height of pine scrub, and the fighters bad no chance of chocking the flames. Miles of fencing were totally destroyed. Cowio Bros, ham an exciting fight," the fire burning pal. of the standing crop and consuming seven hundred bags of wheat stacked m a field. T. Hays and J .Seberry were burned out. while tho holdings of M. Bowler, J. Minohan, and S. A. Hutchinson were swept. At Mowabla station the fencing was burned along the boundaries. From Mowabla the lire crossed to W. M'lntosh's Ivydalo estate, whore there was a mob of 1 .00 sheep m. an 8000 acre paddock. Gf these, 1300 were burned to death, there being no chance of mustering tbem. I'he horses, cattle, and sheep m the other paddock were rescued with difficulty. H. H. Wprner was burned out, the fences being destroyed, and the house was saved only Avith the greatest difficulty. It is reported that he lost 13 head oi stock. Worner was driving to town m a buggy when the fire overtook him, and he was forced to drive the vehicle into a tank, mount the horse, and gallop to the homestead. It is estimated that the fire Ihas a front of 30 miles, and, with the high wind blowing, it is impossible to check it. It is estimated Chat about 100,000 acres of country have been swept so fait. •