There were no helicopters with buckets to tackle bushfires in 1885. Photo / Alan Gibson
Kem Ormond takes a look at the world of farming back in the day. In this week’s Pastures Past, she’s found historical newspaper articles from around the country tackling the burning issue of the day ... bushfires.
First up: The Wanganui Chronicle (as it was known then) reports, via wire service, on a Hawke’s Bay blaze.
Wanganui Chronicle, December 29, 1885
(Per United Press Association.)
Napier, December 27.
The bushfires continue to rage.
Mr White’s homestead, outbuildings, and all their contents, at Sherwood, Takapau, have been totally destroyed; insurance, £1200 in the Union office.
Mr James Higgs’s homestead at Makaretu was also destroyed.
It was uninsured.
The country is so dry that sparks from railway trains are causing fires, and many of the settlers and their hands have had to turn out all night for several nights grappling with fires which threatened to sweep their runs.
Enormous areas of valuable bush have also been destroyed.
bushfires
Bushfires are still raging in the Seventy Mile Bush, and many settlers have lost all their grass seed.
Marlborough Express, January 13, 1898
Between Havelock and Nelson.
[United Press Association.]
Nelson, January 12.
Bush fires are still raging throughout the district.
At Wakapuaka, the fire has got into the bush near the pah, and much grass has been burned.
The Buller coach was delayed by bush fires, and only reached Belgrove at 9.15 to-night, while the Blenheim coach, which left Nelson this morning, reached Flat Creek, when it was blocked by bush fires and had to return to Nelson.
Between Nelson and Havelock the fires have damaged telegraph wires, and now there is only one wire working.
All the linemen are out, but it is doubtful whether they can work through the fires.
Waikato Argus, January 22, 1898
(By telegraph— own correspondent).
Wellington, Last Night.
Subscription lists have been opened by the Mayor and both local papers in aid of the sufferers of the bush fires.
It is alleged that some of the worst fires on the hills to the right of the Hutt Valley were caused by private individuals improperly starting burns.
Detectives are making inquiries.
The Minister for Education is to leave for the Forty Mile Bush district on Saturday for the purpose of gaining an idea of the havoc caused by the bush fires.
Christchurch, Last Night.
About 6000 bushels of grass seed have been destroyed on the Peninsula by the recent grass fires.
The loss is close to £14,000.
Mr Meredith, M.H.R., spent Monday going through the Oxford and Woodside districts, which were devastated by Friday’s bush fires, and he is convinced that the harm done is even more serious than at first supposed.
The damage to private property amounts to not less than £20,000, to which must be added great injury to the bush on Crown land.
Pahiatua, Last Night.
Lord Ranfurly sent a message of sympathy to the sufferers by the bush fires.
At a public meeting last night, which was largely attended, it was decided to raise funds for the relief of the settlers rendered destitute by the fires.
Lord Ranfurly sent twenty-five pounds to the relief fund.
New Zealand Herald, January 9, 1936
Raging bush fires
Danger in Taranaki
Half a century ago bushfires were raging in Taranaki, with grave danger to settlers, and a subscription list was opened to aid those who incurred losses.
At the same time bush fires were reported in North Auckland–the aftermath of a severe drought.
“The bush fires which have been spreading through Taranaki have invaded Midhurst, and the New Plymouth Fire Brigade is now almost exhausted with the calls which have been made upon it,” stated the New Zealand Herald of January 9, 1886.
“A tremendous fire is raging near the Hawera Sash and Door Factory’s sawmills, and they appear to be doomed.
“A fresh south-easterly wind was blowing yesterday, and the country was enveloped in smoke.
“The heat has been terrific. At Midhurst, the people have had to lie in the gullies to escape from the smoke.
“Fires are raging round Stratford, and if the winds freshen, there will undoubtedly be a great calamity.
“In some quarters, the opinion is held that the fires have only begun a reign of terror, and that the whole of the bush country will be swept away.
“A tremendous bush fire is raging at Waimangongora, six miles from Stratford. However, there is no danger in Inglewood.
“A subscription list has been opened to aid settlers who have suffered in the fires.
“The drought in North Auckland is alarming. Dense smoke south-west of Helensville indicates a bush fire, but no danger is anticipated.”
- Source: Papers Past