RANGES ABLAZE AT KAIKOURA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18585, 10 October 1928, Page 12

RANGES ABLAZE AT KAIKOURA.

THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF BUSH DESTROYED. Thousands of acres of bush are burning on the ranges round Mount Fyffe, near 'Kaikoura, and indications at present are that an enormous amount of damage will be done. The mountains were obscured by smoke yesterday. and, fanned ; by a high wind, fires raged,in. every, gully. The worst damage known at present is that the climatic reserve, above the Hapuka and other streams, will be completely denuded, thus allowing enormous quantities of shingle to go down the watercourses on to the flats. Settlers are very worried as to the effect of this deforestation in the future, when these turbulent rivers will be still less controlled. There has beep ascertain amount of damage to property* and stock, but no estimate can Vet be formed of the amount. No houses, have been burned, but settlers along the Black Miller were very fearful last night. The Blue Duck, Puhi, Hapuka and Black... Miller _ Valleys were yesterday seething cauldrons of smoke, and' almost every - spur was either blackened and smouldering or in full blaze. Very many thousands ..of acres have been burned, and, unless the wind rain conies, the seaward side of Mount Fyffe-will be almost bared. (Special to the “Star/*) KAIKOURA, October 9. Although the north-west gale has abated ' somewhat, it has not ceased its fury. Telegraph and telephone wires have come dbwn in various placer. Bush .fires are raging around Mount Fyffe, settlers oh the Grange Road having had.an anxious, time last night. At. the climatic reserve, the watershel of the Waimanaroa, fires are burning, and much destruction is being - done, the effects of which will be felt later, owing to the quantity of loose metal on the hillsides and gullies. Losses .of stock are reported at the Black Miller, on the North Road, and in the Blue Duck and Puhi Valleys. The seas are not exceptionally heavy, and the fishing launches are riding safely at their moorings. " ~