BUSH FIRES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12395, 20 February 1908, Page 5

BUSH FIRES.

Anxious Time in Taranaki.

(Per United Press Association). NEW PLYMOUTH, February 19. It is very difficult to- get authentic and exact information as to the damage by the bush fires. The Sash and Door Company's sawmill on the Egmont road was destroyed, the loss being estimated at v .£3000, and the insurances are small. A settler named Shoemark, on the same road, lest all his effects, which had been, removed from the house. It is noT cdr^ tain whether the house was destroyed. His family was brought to town last night. In the coastal district the position is serious. It is thought impossible to save the Newall Road School. A four-roomed house on theKahui Road, owned by Mr Hemingway, was destroyed last night, but the effects were saved. Other families hatve been Isent to Rahotu, but it is not known whether their houses escaped. Several families were brought in to Puniho last night also, but it is unknown whether their homes are destroyed. The situation improved a little this morning. Milking proceeded as usual this morning on several farms where last night the danger was great. "^ The Warea .school children were unable to go home last night. It is impossible, at present, to ascertain the extent of the damage, but probably the worst fears will not be realised, though it will be a very anxious time until the rain comes. In the northers district, towards Mokau, the country is full of fire and smoke, but there is no definite information as to serious results.

Alarm in the Otaki District.

WELLINGTON, February 19. Fires have made their appearance in the Otaki district, and are doing much damage to other districts along the Manawatu line. The properties along the hills are a mass of smoke, and great alarm is felt for the settlers in the back blocks. ,

At Waikanae, mill hands have been obliged to give up mill work, -and turn their attention to saving the plant and swamp, and the town is enveloped in smoke. «

Between the Otaki Bridge and To Horo — at least along the railway line — the place is practically /r'ee of smoke, but the hills are all smoke covered .

South of Waikanae the fires threaten to do an immense amount of damage, and have crossed the railway,""causing wholesale destruction to the fences and carrying all before them.

It is. reported that the fires destroyed Mr Taylor a, house at South Ma-nakau, Mr Dunn's residence, and Mr Beaven's stab«e at Otaki, t,he Gorge and Owens, and Mr Walter Carter's, at Eeilricrangi. The wind has now, dropped, and the greatest danger appears to be <ver. At Levin, Mr Dean's house was mimed, and the fins J>re so "threatening tbat a continuous watch has to be kept. Fires in the North. Much DJLmage. ' AUCKLAND, February 19. From ali over the "country accounts are received regarding' 'tft-e damage done- by bi'iih fires, and the city ia still enveloped in a haze of smoke. To-riav a fire threatened the Cambridge Sanatorium *n the northern Wairoa district Mile? and miles of country arc burning at Hi:lons\ille. A six-roomed house, occupied by Mr Eylands and family, was destroyed having caught fiije from sparks carried from the burning hiish. * r f v file Waitcre Bush, in the Waihi district, containing millions of ieet of valuable timber, has been blazing sir.cc the end of last week, and the Mataura Valley bush is also on fire. - Sawmill Burnt at Apiti FKILDING, February . 19. Between 2 and 3 o'clock yesterday morning Messrs Bunk and Co.'s new mill *at Table Flat was destroyed by the bush fires. For some days efforts have beeiu fiade to keep back the fires from the millf ufc owing to the strong wind of yesterday and last night, the struggle ended in defeat for the brave workers. Messrs F. Cummerneld and Elliott, whose places are near Apiti, had a very anxious time, as did also Messrs George Prints, Woodhead, and Frederick Chell. jThe^vind was very bad. It is considered that but for fyp pre which burnt up the grass round*^ Apiti - a few days ago, the whole town would have been swept away. At Waiuku. AUCKLAND, February 20. Tlio Waiuku. district, as a result of grass fires, is divested of every vestige of green except in the swamps. The surrounding hills are a mass of burning embers. A large quantity of valuable timber has been destroyed at Marshall's Bush.