BUSH FIRES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12394, 19 February 1908, Page 5

BUSH FIRES.

The Tara^a*i Disinct •? blase.

Fires Raging Fiercely in ad

Direction,

■ Per United 1-ress Association!

NEW PLYMOUTH, Februry 18.

The town and district has been in semidarkness all the afternoon, the sun being completely obscured with smoke, and the heat being stifling. It was impossible to distinguish even buildings distant a hundred yards. The gale from the south, which has been blowing all day, is now increasing in volume, and seems to have re-started the fires in all directions. So far it is impossible to get particulars of any particular losses, but reports now reaching town indicate that the dairy factories are in danger, and that several families have been burnt out and are being brought into town. Heavy losses in stock are anticipated. Latest reports (11 p.m.) indicate that fires are very serious in the country, but communication is cut off with many districts, and details are not procurable. At Oaonui the fires are raging in all directions, and the settlers are fighting the flames under distressing conditions. Reports from the Egmont village are meagre, but it is understood the children were unable to get home from the schools in the locality. Many of the settlers and their wives and families have left their homes and have arrived in the townships for safety.

The Hillsborough dairy factory is reported as doomed, and fires in the Ratanui district are within four miles of New Plymouth.

The Uruti district is one huge forest of fire, and everyone is preparing for the worst.

Fires are raging fiercely in all directions At Tongaporutu and Puniho the settlers have sent their families out of the danger zone, many leaving their homes with wearing apparel only, trusting to good fortune to save their homes.

The Kahui Road sawmills are threatened, and the Newall Road School, in the midst of the fire zone, is in imminent danger. All the upper roads are ablaze, and the fortunes of the settlers are unascertainable.

The wind shows no sign of abatement, and the volume of smoke is uudiminished.

The suburban residents are taking precautions in case of fire during the night, the fire brigade and the telephone office being kept on duty.

Fires in the Kanawatu District.

PALMERSTON N., February 18.

Palmerston- is enshrouded in smoke. So is Feilding, and many settlers' homes on the ranges are in -peril. The Manawatu River, at Moutoa, is lower than ever before known — only three feet at the deep places.