DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3519, 8 January 1886, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

GERALDINE. Wednesday was the hottest day felt at Gcraldine this summer. Several persons tested it both in the »un and in the shade and at ono time in the afternoon the thermometer registered 125 degrees, and in tho shade about 100 degrees. There is little doubt but that the very hot day had something to do with the fire in the Waihi Bush, for when tho wind sprung up from the southwest volumes of smoke could be seen curling up from that Bush. We have been informed that yesterday it was burning with increased fury, but we cannot report what further damage was done beyond what wo stated a week ago. Thero was a fire on the Plains, on Wednesday night, between the Orari and Rangitata rivers, and from what wo can learn it has done considerable damage. Ono farmer estimates his locs at about £100. (By Telegraph.) Auckland, Jan. 7. About 3 a.m., a fire broke out in the house and shop of J. E. Davis, a grocer, Nelson Btreet, which, with the contents, wcro both destroyed. Tho fire spread to Belmont House adjoining, owned and occupied by Jame3 Cross, but the Brigade quenched the names after considerable damage had been done. Davis' premises belonged to Boyd, and are believed to be uninsured. The owner is said to be out of town. r iho stock is insured for £150 with the North British Mercantile, and the furniture for £125. Cross' houso was insured for £HSO in the South British, and the furniture for £150 in the same office. Tho origin of the fire is unknown. The flames wero first observed in the back of Davis's shop. Mastbbtojt, Jan. 7. The town this morning was enveloped in smoke, but the wind having ceased the fires are not spreading. At Manaia a large area of bush and grass was burnt, and it is reported that one settler lost a large number of sheep. News comes from Taneru that the township is surrounded by bush fires, and the bridge and hotel are in danger. The latter ia being protected by wet blankets. Hawbba, Jan. 7. A bush fire, which has been raging near Stratford, a township between Haweru and J^ew Plymouth, swept into that township yesterday afternoon about three or four o'clock and did great damage. Full particulars are not yet to hand, but fully fifteen families have been left homeless. YVheii the train from Uawera arrived at Stratford the fire was burning fiercely, and twenty or thirty women and children were put into the train and brought to Hawera, all leaving their husbands behind, and some having become separated from their children. Late in the evening a special train was sent up and brought more people down. Ihe heat and smoke was terrific, but it was hoped that the larger buildii gs, such as Tutly's Hetel, Mellee's store, and others would bo saved, though parts of them had been on fire. There is as yet no definite information how many houses are burnt, or what losses there are, but a railway bridge has been burned. Later reports are to the effect that twentynine houses are burned at Stratford, including the Town Hail, but that the public offices, principal stores and hotels are saved. They have, however, been more or less injured, 'he railway bridge is charred but not destroyed. Nbw Plymouth, Jan. 7. Ee the bush fire at Stratford, a telegram has just been received in town asking for assistance. It states the wind is rising, and that thirty-four houses have- been burned. The Mayor has ordered a special train to take the Fire Brigade to the settlers' asuistance. A subscription has been started in town in aid of tho sufferers. The Town Hall was burned. It was insured in tho Standard Office for £180. Wellington, Jan. 7. A special message to the Haivera Star gives the following additional information with reference to the fire at Stratford. The fire which only seems to have lasted four or five hours, came across the cleared space fronting the township, from the mountain, from which direction it had been blowing all day. It must have been terrific in its force, to judge from the appearance of everything. Imagine a space one mile square, covered with logs and stumps in one huge blaze, with smoke rising in dense volumes, and some ides can bo obtained of what it ia like. This is the description given by thoso who saw it, for alight, and large lumps of lighted timber blew about everywhere. It is a miracle that any house remains. It was only by constant watching and battling with the elements by constantly pouring water on tho logs that it was kept down, and even this was fast wearing out the energies of the combatants, who, with the joint efFects of smoke and fire were almost blinded and suffocated ; in fact if the wind had not changed the whole place must have gone. As it was, parties bad to keep relieving one another by going down to the swamp and obtaining a little fresh air, which was tho only place where it could be obtained. Although, fortunately, the damage to the town is comparatively light, I might say that almost half the houses in tho neighborhood are either destroyed or mutilated. So far intelligence is to a great extent uncertain, bat people are supposed to be camping out in the green bush to save their lives; not all of them have come in. Up to the present, however, I have information, more or less authentic, of no less than twenty -nine different places being burnt, the damage to which it is difficult at present to estimate, but it must run to £7000 or £8000 at least. The fire appears to have started up the Opunake Road la-t week. When it Bpread, Mr James had a narrow escape of losing his place. Since then the fire has been gradually spreading, and as the wind rose yesterday :t made rapid strides, running across the country from Mi'ihurst to Eltham in a terrible manner. The appear ance of the township is pitiable. iioueeß that are standing have all their adjuncts burned or carried away, and in many instances the building itself is charred, and was only saved by determined drenching on tho part of tho inmates Animals are reported to hare been burned in all directions, and I have seen already 6overal cases in which pigs have been burnt alive, and fowls, &c, scorched up. Nearly all the cattle and horses shifted for themselves and are missing, the fences being burnt down and the animals having cleared for their lives. Hourly persons are coming in from the back coun ry with sad tales of houses and furniture burnt before their eyes and their little all torn from them, while they themselves had to hurry from the scene. However, no cases of death are reported, although one or two persons are reported missing. Nearly everyone who passed through the fire is blind or partially so, and this morning I have witnessed the sad spectacle of strong men being led into town by those more forfcimato than themselves, they not being able to open their eyes at all. They hold up bravely, however, under their misfortunes, although in many cases so dazed by the Bmoke and excitement that they reel like drunken men. My own eyes are badly damaged, and I can imagine from that what it must have been for those in the thick of it. So far the following are the places that I have ascertained as near as can bo, to bo destroyed with all their contents in tho township of,

Stratford :— The Town Hall, Stanley's, Bowman's and Hunter's houses, Curtis' kerosene store, containing gunpowder and kerosene, Winbropes slaughter yard. Kirkpatrick's outhouses and fences, Bruningan's outhouses I and yards, A. Rogers' house, Collins' etables and fencing, and Hackett's outhouses, fences, &o. In Pembroke Road, Hill Bros., and Woodruff's houses, Friend's outhouses, &c, and Moore's outhouse ; Opunake Road, Shamrock's, Northcote'a, Saunders' and Stanford's house ; Ea»t Road, Baird's outhouses, &e., Oat's houso; Flint Road, Parrett and Brook's houses. A wooden bridge that was being erected by and Turner, and which was nearly finished, and all the timber and plant were burnt. McMillan's house and outhouses, Kennedy's outhouses, cattle shed, and everything but the boute and graßS shed and contenti. Near the township Sayton'a boardinghouse on the main road, MeDavitt's house, Soty'a fence, and the adjuncts to the Stratford Hotel on the Opunake Road were destroyed. A hole was burnt in the house of Christian and Patterson, bush fallers, who lost their blankets, dothing and swags, and several smaller cases are continually being reported. It is expected that there will be several more losses between Katoura and Stratford, where the fires are raging very fiercely. Last night, when some horsemen were passing, both Ware's and Blake's places weie in great danger, and Maloney's and Codley's places on the Flint road. It is also expected that there will be several fresh cases on the Opunake road, and to the east of tho township as far as Captain Lund's homestead. No loss of human life is yet recorded, but most of the people have suffered burns, and much injury to their eyes, owing to the smoke. Mr Harnock, a settler who worked hard all day, and was brought down by the special here, is seriously ill. A good many peoplo are yet missing. Tho Borough Council of Hawera held a special meeting this morning, and appointed a Committee to look after the homeless who have been brought here. Hokitika, Jan. 7. Tho State School was burnt down this morning at three o'clock. Tho cause of the fire is unknown, but incendiarism is suspeced, or it might have been caused through boy* getting underneath. The building was closed for the holidays. The caretaker was in the building on Monday. The town lump-lighter passed the premises at twelve o'clock last night, and there was no sign of fire then. There is no water in the neighborhood, and the Brigade hoso. though 2000 fert long, was about 600 feet too short, or else the principal portion of the building could have been saved. Tho building coat about £4000. Nblbox, Jan. 7. Large bush fires are raging in the district and the atmosphere is full of smoke. In the Clark and Motupiko valleys a fire is raging for thirty miles, and the West Coast coach had to put buck to-day as it was uuablc to get through. CnßisTcnXHcn, Jan. 7. By a tussock fire at Rukaia yesterday fifteen acres of barley, belonging to a farmer named Harrison, were burnt, and a clean sweep made <.f the fences and pasturage for miles. The fire i3 supposed to have been caused by a farmer starting to burn tho tussocks.