BUSH FIRES IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 33, 11 February 1901, Page 3

BUSH FIRES IN AUSTRALIA.

DEVASTATION AMD LOSS 01" l.lt'F. A GALK DMIV'S THK Klilß Wli'H FURY. [PKK PTiKSf; ARiiIHitATHiV.J (Heueivod '.' D.lli :i.m.) -Meliiduiink, February 9. Telegraphia communication iu nun* districts is interrupted by the bush fires, the s'wm accompanying which reached a velocity of fifty miles an hour.

The fires were especially destructive in the Birregurri and Coke districts. They started from a spark from a train, The gile behind the fires *wept everything befoi e it. Houso after house waf swallowed up. It was hero the boys McCallumacd McDonald !o?tthoirlivi's. They got separated from their parents in tbe.corjfWou, and their charred remait's weffl afterwards found.

I Kingswtll died as the result of burns received in fighting the flames. ! Five other fighters were severely injured and removed to the hospital, two in a critical condition.

Another man, named O'Brien, in escaping was thrown from his horse and bad his leg broken. The manager of the local Bank and others faved tbeir families by placing them in tanks,

Anthony's Bushy Pt rk estate lost all the grass, fencing, and eight hundred sheep and cattle. (Received 9, 9.23 a.m.) Melbourne, Februajy 9. In the Camperdown district many farms and stations were devastated.

The Yielma Station forest was swept and practically destroyed.

In the nerth eastern districts the fires are the worst ever known. In the Hamilton district the estate of Mr. Simpson, a well-known breeder. of Shropshire sbeep, was devastated, including the wool sheds. At the township of Byaduk, only three out of fifteen houses remain.

It is estimated that fully 100,000 'sheep have been roasted in the district, one Btation losing 2000 and another 3000. In the Casterfcon district the fire severed an arei of 30 miles, and is still burning fiercely. In the Berrioga district much damage was done to mining properties. (Received 9, 10.11 a.m.) Melbourne, February 9. ] At Hamilton an od nun named Anderson when trying to rescue a horse fiom a burling ttMi fell in the fire land peri«hed.

A m»n named Northfield has puccumed to injuries received in bush fires near Gedon^. Received 9, 10.18 a.m. Adelaide, February 9. The damage by the fire 6 in the Mount Pleasint district is estimated at many I thousands, Huedn da of sheep, including frtud rams perished. There was also much damage in the Naracoote .district.

ARARAT RACES STOPPED. . FIRE 3 SWEEPS OVER THE COURSE. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE HORBES. MILES OF COUNTRY BURNED. Receive.l 10, i 50 a.m. Melbourne, February 10. The Ai rarat i aces were brought to an abrupt, conrluson. Trie bush fires, fo/med by the gain, swe-pt across the Cfiur o to r. pi'll , tint sntno of the noises w.tre scoic.ed bifore they could j*o get awiiy. The wind unroofed the grand stand. Milt sof country in the I vicinity arc burned.