BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2100, 28 January 1908, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

SETTLERS PREPARING FOR

FLIGHT.

NELSON, Jan. 27. Reports of destruction by bush fires are still coming to hand. At Upper Tiulmor the dwelling iliouso of E. Phillips, j un., was burned out on Saturday evening. Tho fire is still spreading in this neighborhood, and tlio settlers along the line hnvo packed their moveablo effects, and arc ready to leave at short notice. At Korere the country for miles on each sido of tho road is ablaze. Mr. Newport’s homestead at Korere is in great danger, and lias been on fire twice. Tho district settlers are very anxious owing to a serious outbreak in that locality. A number of sheep were overtaken by fire while being driven along the road at Dovedale to a place of safety, and wero destroyed. Messrs McPhccdran Bros.’ homestead at Koliatn was burnt this morning, and a large sum in bank notes was also destroyed. Tliero was no insurance on the contents, but the building was insured for £2OO in the Commercial Union.

HEAVY LOSSES,

Press Association. NELSON. Jan. 27

Saturday was one of the worst yet experienced with bush and grass fires. H. Baigen.t’s sawmill at Aorere, with 20,000 ft timber; Haldane’s dairy, at Bainli'im, with milking machine; and Francis Baigent’s sawmill, at Pigeon Valley, were destroyed. Other settlers lost sheep, firewood, and fencing. -Many thousand trees in tho timber have been destroyed. The fires revived at Stanley Brook, Dovedale, Wangapoka, and’ other localities. A grass tire along the -rail line at Wai.ti was started by -sparks from an engine. Two thousand acres of grass were destroyed at Whangari. Cro'xelles settlers and Maoris had hard work to prevent the pah from being destroyed.

Later. —The Tckaka Long Plains creamery was destroyed- by fire this morning. There are no insurances.