BUSH FIRES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1400, 24 January 1860, Page 3

BUSH FIRES.

The extensive bush fires that have been ragingduring the past few days, have Caused much Jear lor the safety of the the nouses, &c, in their respective neighbourhoods^ and, in one instance at least, that fear has not proved unfounded. Under any circumstances bush-burning is attended with danger, and the very : calmest days ought to be selected for the "purpose. The notion is generally preva-

lent <in country places, that the law takes no notice of damage done during, January and February. Such an impression is totally erroneous ; the party tnroagh whose means property, is destroyed, is always answerable for any injury nis'neighbours may sustain. The fire on the Porirna Road is supposed, to have originated with a squatter, whose means are, unfortunately, not such -as to render nim /worth 'powder- and; ?shot. .Ajfter four or jive nacres of felled bush belonging to Mr. Drake and the bridge at the bottom of BuSSellV Folly, it threatened Mr. Pethekick's large "house, which was only saved "by the severest exertions of the people of Johnsonville. The new Church was not so fortunate, only a few moveables could be saved ere it was entirely de-> I stroyed, .thus making the second time I the Episcopal Church at Johnsonvftle I <has within the last few years been burnt sto the ground. Beyond the destruction above recorded, ■we have not heard of any damage to property, but this is more -than sufficient to necessitate our impressing tliat the utmost -csaution should be observed, in such a dry season as this, in the districts nrhere clearings have yet to be set on fire.