THE BUSH FIRE.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9097, 15 February 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BUSH FIRE.

A gentleman Who knows the Moutere district well informs us that on Feb. 4th Mr Christian Rose, of Upper Moutere, had all his stacks and outbuildings, including hop kiln, barn, and pig styes swept away by fire, not so much being left as would feed a horse. The dwellinghouse, too, was in danger. Such a loss as this must fall very heavily indeed upon a farmer, To see the whole of the newly garnered crop, and all the conveniences for carrying on the farm, consumed in a short space of time must indeed be heart-break-ing. In addition a considerable quantity of fencing was destroyed, indeed few settlers in the Rosedale and central Moutere have escaped in the matter of losing fencing. Our informant says too, that Mr Shildauer, of central Moutere had his barn full of feed destroyed. As stated by our Motueka correspondent, the change of direction of the wind on Saturday stayed the progress of the fires seaward, and the welcome rain of Sunday and yesterday would relieve all anxiety. The Nelson Garrison Band gave a pro- [ menade ooncert at the Botanical Gardens Reserve, Feb. llth, in aid of the sufferers by bush fires. There was a good attendance, and not only was the programme presented an admirable one, but the members of tbe Band are to be highly complimented upon the excellence of their renderings. Unfortunately, many of those present experienced irritation, instead of enjoyment, by reason of the annoyance caused a number of playful and noisy cbildren. There were a couple of police officers present, and they should have been able to check the exuberance of the youngsters, but they failed ignominiously. If outdoor concerts are to be interfered with in this manner, there will be no inducement for musicians to go out of tteirway to provide a pleasant evening's entertainment for a worthy object and no encouragement for the pnblio to patronise such performances, but we hope that for the future the police will see to it, that no annoyance is caused. Last night's concert resulted in some £0 being provided for the aid of the sufferers, after deducting expenses. The members of the Band merit grateful recognition for their good services. [fkoh oub own correspondent.] Motueka, February 5. The Moutere firo yesterday afternoon was checked at Teeca's, several willing hands having gone from Lower Moutere and Motaeka to assist. At Pokororo Mrs Brereton's feed is all burnt ; James Ross' woolshed and feed are burnt; Christopher Remnant, junr's, cottage and feed are gone ; George Slatter's house caught several times, but the fire was extinguished. At th^ Graham the fire has burnt through Joseph Boyes and Thomas Heath's clearings, and I spread to William Mytton's, where it lulled. A change of the wind from a south-west gale to a strong sea wind will entirely alter the course of the flames, and although smoke is thick in the direction of the countryl the atmosphere in the village is comparatively clear to-day. Takaka, February 7. All last week dangerous bush fires were raging in various parts of the district. At Long Plain, East Takaka, Motupipi, and Lower Takaka buildings were threatened, and it was only by great efforts that the lo3s of several houses was averted. On Wednesday Mr Robert Haldane's new house, on the main road, was surrounded by flames, and but for liberal help from neighbors it would have been destroyed. On Saturday Mr John Moulder, at Motupipi, lost his barn and outbuildings, together with nine pigs. Rain began to fall on Sunday, and has continued up to the present. It has extinguished the fires and done much good. Auoklasd, February 7. Heavy bush fires are raging at Tearai and Mullet Point, Wangarei. The Mullet Point sohoolhouse has been burned, tbe damage being estimated at £400. A track has been swept three miles wide, the gale carrying everything before it. Ia a bush fire at Coromandel the Triumph battery was damaged,