RAKAIA PLAINS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3511, 30 December 1885, Page 2

RAKAIA PLAINS.

We tatc tho following from the LytUUon Times of yesterday : - On Thursday morning the tussocks m the vicinity of Bank side, on the Batnia Plains, caught fire, resulting ia tho destruction of a largo amount of property. So far as can be ascertained the firo urObO through tho emptying of tho cinderpnn of a traction engine above Dunsandel. Whilst the men were awuy with the engina for water at ono of the races, the Gro must have originated, for on their return • the tussocks for 6ome chains were ablaze. Although an effort was made to put them out, the Arv weather for soine time, and s strong nor'-wester, rendered it impossible, and very soon the plains for some distance vat one sheet of roaring flames. Ihe wind, which was blowing strong at the time, caused the fire to make rapid progress over the ground, as fast almost as a horse could gallop. It is understood that a cottage, occupied by a platelayer, was the first to be swallowed up ; then followed Mr Stewart's house, sheds and implements at his farm at Highbank. With such rapidity did the flames travel that m a short time tho Heslerton run was all on fire and a large number of sheep must have perished. Tho homestead escaped, but the sheep-yards were burned, as well as an iron woolshcd somo five miles or so from the homestead. Travelling across the Hesterton run, Mr Washbourno was tho next to suffer. All the buildings, inclcding house, sheds, yards, &c, on his farm (at on' time occupied by tho Messrs Loo Bros.), were burned to the ground. At tiiis time tho sheet of fire was estimated as being fully three miles wide. It took m its destructive course the cottage and buildings on Mr Kendall's farm, which is Borne miles away from Mr Washbourno's homestead. Then the most serious da ■ age was threatened m the destruction of Mr Hurst's large house on tho 1 '"kleigh Ketate, and it was only through Mr Baxter (with his plough) and ft few other willing hands that it was saved, though all the fences, us well as the beautiful garden were destroyed. As the wind chinged towards evening sliulill.v to the north east, the fire was dirreted towards the rirer; and For a short time tho Board of Conservatora 1 plantations wore threatened. As it wa«, very nearly half of White's gums were destroyed, and it was only through the pxertions of Messrs Storry, Benn, A. and J. Low, Constable Warren, the Rev. Mr Hands, and others, I thit tho wholo wero not destroyed Jlad this been the ease, tho disaster following would have been appalling. Large volumes of flaino could bo seen from tho township, rising far up to tho sky and causing considorable anxiety amongst the residents, t is impossible to esiiiimto tho damage done, but it must amount to several thousands. Some hundreds of miles of fencing have been destroyed, besides the feed on both iho Ho«lerton and Oa l leieh run*, which (happening at this tim* of the year) will not como again until next spring. . A large number of sheep must have perished, though it wilt be impossible to tell for somo time to what extent. Our correspondent aads: — "I noticed a number of roasted hares, and as tho plains abound with them I anticipate that a wholesale extermination has been effected. I understand Mr Washbourne was insured, but with what office, , and the amount, I cannot say. On tho . way to Heslerton ono realised what tlio fire had been. As far as I could see m tho direction of Bankside, the fire had made ono clean sweep of tho dense scrub and tussock. A milo or so further on ioms ' very green fence* had again checked the flames, and when I got nearer Heslerton I found that the tussocks had escaped, aa ■ well as the several homestead*. But front enquiries I found that, so for as the sheep wens concerned, the Heslerton run hid been exceedingly fortunate. The day previously tha bheop had been mustered from the lowef ?

end of the run and taken to the homestead for dipping, otherwise the loss would have been very heavy. As it w»», only forty or so were smothered. I should mention again that a considerable number have been lost on tho Oakleigh run. A large nine-stall stable, chaff-house, granary, chaff-cutter, a quantity of outs, grass seed, sheaf chaff, all the implements, including two reapers and binders, new last year, were completely swept away, and the house, which is quite a new building was a good deal scorched. As tho Hay was getting on J had not time to visit Bankside, but 1 understand th t Mr Stewart lost every thingbuildings, implements, ic. lam also informed that Mr Richards' little homestead on the plains was completely demolished."