A LIVELY NIGHT AT CROSS CREEK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7684, 6 February 1904, Page 5

A LIVELY NIGHT AT CROSS CREEK.

{From Our Own Correspondent.)

Last evening we had enough excitement to satisfy the most exacting lover of sensation. The five that had been dormant for a day or two broke out in every direction, and by seven o'clock the hills on both sides of the creek were blazing. Some apprehension was felt by residents lest stray sparks should lodge under the houses, and it appeared almost certain that the engine-shed would go. Every precaution,; was taken and I am pleased to 6ay that no mishap eventuated, though one or two prudent householders prepared for flight and packed their portable property in readiness, taking their evening meal standing, like the Jews at Passover. The spectacle was simply grand. Huge clumps of rata became fiery masses, and isolated trees of unusual size were pillars of fire. The flames caught the scrub, and kept up a lively succession of flares, which lighted up the whole district. The scene was really impressive, with columns of glowing fire, coruscations, flares, and fantastic Protean shapes of flame. The moon, when it ventured forth, was hardly noticed or even recognised, and the residents had an interesting timetill midnight, when the fire began to subside.