DAMAGE DONE BY BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8642, 30 November 1889, Page 2

DAMAGE DONE BY BUSH FIRES.

Much damage has been done to Mr R. H. Gibson's farm, on the Upper Carrington Road, by one of the bush fires now so prevalent. Early on Thursday morning, a fierce fire, driven before a strong southeasterly wind, came from Upper Mangorei rapidly across the Henui River, and swept completely through Mr Gibson's farm, destroying fences, grass, and shelter bush. No less than fifty to sixty chains of fencing are estimated to have been spoilt, besides the greater part of the pasture in the clearings. So dense and suffocating was for several hours tne smoke that the family were on the point of being obliged to leave the premises. Showers of ushes poured on to the roofs of the dwellinghouse and out-buildings, and even penetrated the interior down the chimneys, covering the furniture, books, &c. The fire, having passed over tho Upper Carrington Road, disappeared down the Upper Frankley Road. Trees and logs are still smouldering all round, and wait only a wind to break out again. It will also be seen by our Inglewood correspondent's letter that the residence of Colonel Trimble was only saved from the bu6h fires after great exertions. Mr Upjohn has had nine of his outhouses burnt, and a considerable portion of fencing burnt. Mr Turner, of Junction Road, and Mr W. Howell, of Norfolk Road, have both lost fencing by the bush fires.