Mr E. J. Barry, acting as spokesman, said the position is that a fire, extending practically from Horopito to Raetihi, fanned by the gale, swept out towards Waiouru and Pipiriki, devastating the country as it has gone. Thousands of sheep and cattle have been lost, and homesteads burned.
The sawmillers have been heavy losers. Messrs Mercer, Harris, Paterson, and Knight (of Raetihi), and Carter (of Horopito), and all the cottages in which the workmen lived, had been wiped out. Hundreds of refugees had been brought to Ohakune and billeted with residents of the township.
Large numbers of these people had spent the night in ditches and culverts. Loss of life was feared, but no definite word as to that aspect had come to hand. The part of the township of Raetihi burned includes the Town Board office, County Chambers, butter factory, police station,
Fagg Bros.' large store and sash and door factory. Over 50 residences in the township have been destroyed, as well as three churches.
Interesting ring-in
A more than usually interesting case of ringing-in is reported from West Australia. In this race-loving land, where every village has its racecourse and every apprentice his interest in a sweep, some remarkable frauds are perpetrated, and the number of cases of ringing-in discovered are not in proportion to the number never exposed.
In the present case four men - Bennett (agent), Bell (horse dealer), Thompson (trainer), and Robinson - are charged with conspiring to defraud the Boulder Racing Club. The claim of the prosecution is that Thompson and Bell ran a horse named Golden Orel, a very inferior animal, at Bunbury races under the name of Loch Var, a name that is unknown to the racing records.
Golden Orel was badly beaten in very inferior company. Then the accused entered as Loch Var a good racehorse named Aversion for a race at the Boulder Club's meeting, and had him handicapped on the alleged performance of Loch Var at Bunbury.
On the race day the gang got into the ring and backed the horse very heavily at long odds. Aversion won the race easily, and the gang collected the stake and the bets.
The stipendiary steward at this meeting was no fool, however, and there was something about the Loch Var performance that made him suspicious.
He made some inquiries, and then a surprise visit was made to the farm of Robinson, the owner of Aversion. That animal was promptly recognised as the Loch Var that won at Boulder. It had been dyed from a chestnut to a bronze bay . . .
Presbyterian youth
The annual Easter camp of the New Zealand Presbyterian Young Men's Bible Class Union will be held at Mosgiel, and all the necessary arrangements for it are well advanced. It will be largely of a religious and inspirational nature, but opportunity will be found for numerous athletic sports and competitions.
- ODT, 21.3.1918.
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