RAGLAN SURROUNDED BY FIRE

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

RAGLAN SURROUNDED BY FIRE

The Raglan district has suffered very considerably from fire. During the last couple of days the town has been completely hidden with smoke, and burned ashes are being carried into the town by the wind. Feed has been destroyed in every direction, and, as a result, the Kauroa Dairy Factory will have to close down within the next few days. In the Okete portion of the district, through burning furze, the flames took possession of a large tract of open country. The settlers all turned out and Worked all Sunday night to keep the fire in check; and it was with much difficulty that Miss Wilson’s and Air. Norman King' s flaxmill were saved. A quantity of flax and fericing' were destroyed. Alessrs. Pegler Bros., had the misfortune to lose the best of their grass; some 250 acres, including last year’s sowing. On Thursday, Mr. J. Belcher and family had to desert their home at Kauroa, and seek shelter at Raglan, owing to the heat of the fire; he expects to lose his house. He reports having lost some 5 or 6 horses and some cattle; the whole of his place is surrounded by fire. .FIRES IN . KAWHIA DISTRICT Reports from Oparau, Awaroa and Te-Rau-a-Aloa show that bush fires are still raging end the settlers have already sustained heavy losses,, and are still fighting the flames, with all the resources at their command. At Te Rau-a-Aloa the smoke was so dense, that the'school children had to stay at school last night. The fence round.the Te Rcu-aAIoa post office (Mr. Ormsby’s house) caught fire several times, but the outbreaks were extinguished. Tynan Bros., at Kinohaku, have lost a quantity of fencing and stock. • ■ At Oparau, Air. ’ Mclntosh lost his house and stock, Air.-Bell his house, and Troughton Bros, their house. Air. McIntosh lost a lot of stock,-but saved the milking cows. ■ •• ' -> *<■■; 1 > The settlers at Awaroa, Kiritehere and Marokopa are fighting hard to save their homes. Mr.-Elliott; of Oparau, lost 800 sheep and Mr. Perham 200 sheep. WAINGARO ENVELOPED IN FLAMES. Disastrous bush fines are raging in the Waingaro district; which is practically enveloped in flames. ' The Waingaro Hot Springs Hotel and also several settlers houses had a narrow escape from total destruction, and much loss has been sustained by owners oU stock. A number of men employed on Triad work are giving help to fight the flames. Maoris were all night fighting the fire at the Waingaro springs. ~ ; The houses of Messrs. W- Seavill, Gib* son and McMillan are in great danger.