THE RAETIHI BUSH FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11501, 2 April 1918, Page 6

THE RAETIHI BUSH FIRE.

- ». —i A COMPREHENSIVE - ' STATEMENT. • ’ —■ Tilili NEED FOR HELP. —- (Per Press Asfloaiatlon.l '[ A Wellington, March 30. The Raetihi Relief Committee lira issued the following statement:—As a number of people throughout tho Dominion are somewhat at a loss to assess the amount of damage done by tiio recent tires, consequently they are unable to arrive at the amount which they feel they should donate towards the relief of tho sufferers, the following information will bo of inter-fit. Our sawmills have been completely burnt out, at each of which a largo number of families were affected. Nearly all tho mill wlmrcs have been destroyed and with tho whole of the furniture and effects, representing in many cases all of the workers. In the Raetihi township ' over fifty homes have been completely wiped out. Those liomes2\vore a tangible representation of years of pioneering and toil. Tho insurances in all cases fall far short of t he amount required to reiustito th m. Tho CrownJLands officers state that an area of 35,000 lias been swept '\v lire and in tho vicinity of R .cr hi 17,000 acres of grass, representing a value of .£20,000, have been practically destroyed. three thousand sheep valued at £50,00 i have been burnt. Forty homeste -s and a large numter of woolsheds have been completely destroyed.. iso fencing to the value of £20,000. Tho Efficiency Hoard, during its recent visit to the district, called for a report giving a list of individual losses both of settlors and workers. Wnui this report comes to band a comprehensive statement will bo made to tho press of tho Dominion. A strong committee of professional business men lias been thoroughly organised for'the distribution of relief and with the valuable assistance of a number of Salvation Army officers, Y. Id.C. A. men, are giving immediate and equitable relief to the main sufferers. "When it is remembered tii t iho Waimsrino is a backblock district to which the best of the pioneers emigrated with a view to hewinu a home out of the bush, that they struggled for years, and after these years of strenuous endeavour they saw the light of financial stability ahead, in one night all their toil was rendered cb nought, it is felt that the people of the Dominion will realise there is urgent need of assistance- and that this will he immediately forthcoming. _