TARANAKI BUSH FIRES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 8, 22 February 1908, Page 10

TARANAKI BUSH FIRES.

HOMESTEADS BURNED DOWN. During the past three days the whole of Taranaki has been enveloped in a thick haze of smoke from the bush fires around the base of Mount Egmont and from the back country inland. In addition to the houses previously destroyed in the Rahotu district, news was received to-night of further losses, and should the wind rise the flames, which are now spread intermittently over many miles are likely to cause widespread havoc. Relief parties are stationed on many of the roads. The news from Okau and Tongaporutu districts, out back, is very gloomy. Everywhere settlers are on the qui v ive. Only one shower has fallen this year, and unless the drought shortly breaks the equanimity with which the farmers have up to no**/ viewed the unusual spell of dry weathe. must give place to great apprehension, in view of the fires and the prospective shortage of winter feed. In Cape Egmont district considerable destruction has been wrought by bush fires. The homesteads of Messrs. Morrow and Clarke, Kahui-road, have been destroyed. Rothery’s sawmill has been on fire, but has been saved from destruction up to the present. 'The Opunake Company’s sawmill is in danger. The fires are raging practically over the whole district to the north and west of Mount Egmont.