LOG AND GRASS FIRES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 3

LOG AND GRASS FIRES.

RECRUDESCENCE OF DANGER

Tho high westerly wind which prevailed yesterday fanned into a blaze the embers of log fires that have been burning for a couple of weeks, and towards npon the', sky became lovereast 'witr'i clouds of smoke, driving over from the backblock areas.

In the Wharekopae,district, thei fires lighted up tile whole horizon last evening, and settlers and their families remained on the alert- ail night; fearing for their homesteads, which were threatened by sparks flying before the halfgale. Fortunately, the damage done was confined to fences, and the stock has not suffered so badly as in the first outbreak a couple of weeks ago. In the Waihora Valley! Mr. Lilly's home was endangered by fires spreading through grass and scrub, and at. Whatatutu, a fire was reported to be consuming the pasturage of Mander and Dods' station, 'the wind apparently died down during the night, but was gaining strength this morning, and the spreading of the fires has not been checked. Around Matawai, the fire has not the same encouragement as in the tawa. and rimu-bushed country. ! The birch logs there do not burn so readily, and thus the fires have not arrived at the degree of intensity experienced in the Rakanroa'Tahora district. The blaze is confined mainly to the vicinity of tho old mill, just outside the township, although numerous smaller outbreaks have been experienced on Messrs. deLautour, Hansen and Green's properties. Little damage has been done there, however. In the Tarewa district many small outbreaks occurred where logs had been smouldering since the previous fires. Fanned by the breeze the fire gradually spread from log to log until there were many acres of burning logs. Little damace was done, however, and tho fires did not seem to be spreading rapidly. Near Wharerata another fire occurred in some standing manuka, and 400 or 500 acres were burnt. Further log fires also occurred near Parikanapa, and the dense smoke throughout, the. whole of that part of the district made travel by road somewhat unpleasant.

ANOTHER HOUSE DESTROYED

MR,GEORGE WILLIAMS' HOME

On the- Rakauroa-Tahora road the lop; fires were bad yesterday, and tho House of Mr George Williams was burned to the ground, having become ignited by flying sparks. The heat was terrific, and smoke made conditions even more uncomfortable. Every log is blazing or smouldering, and spark's continue- to fly. The woolshed on Mr Williams' propertyis in imminent danger, and is expected to fall a prey to the flames, despite tho efforts) of a party of fire-fighters who are attempting to prevent the ignition of tli building. The shenring plant and engine have been dismantled and buried, and tho benzine- has been carried into green bush, where it is unlikely to be endangered. The property is next to Mr A Harris', whose homestead was burned last week-end. It is still possible to us* the road, though burning trees threaten to fall across it. , , ',. Mr A. Pickens homestead, next to Mr Williams', is so far safe, being situated in a comer of a bush reserve. Under ordinarv circumstances the flames should not reach it, but Mr Picken is taking precarious against the destruction ot stores and furniture. Mr Smart's homestead, eastward ot Mr Williams', was threatened by the hie vesterdav, but survived the night, lne "settlers "are fighting in groups to protect tho endangered buildings: