Real Climate Records

Sydney, January 28.—

Fires are still fiercely blazing in the hills surrounding Holbrook late tonight but the township itself was not

in danger unless the wind changes.

Elsewhere in the Riverina and the South Coast the general bushfire position had improved.

The only danger spot according to a survey tonight appeared to be at Carabost, a small town 30 miles south east of Wagga. At Carabost flames formed a horseshoes shaped wall of fire around the town.Vol unteers were busy burning breaks tonight while other groups fought the blaze.

All bushfires along the South Coast were reported tonight to be under control.

Death roll since the catastrophic fires started has reached eight while two men are still missing.

.The men are William Currie (45), single, of Rylestone, and Randolph Pettitt (31) of Canberra.

They disappeared while flghting fires at. Gulgong and Canberra. Search parties have been out all

day looking for them.

Hollbrook Shire Clerk (Mr. R.A. Roberts) said today that fires in the Holbrook area had caused  about £1,300.000 worth of damage.

The damage included destruction of at least 500,000 acres, 26 homes, 60 per cent, of the areas Wool

sheds,about £250, 000 worth of fenclng and 10,000 head of cattle.

Surveying the damage to his property, one Holbrook grazier to day found the charred carcasses of

400 head of cattle In one acre. It will be several months before a complete and accurate survey can

be carried out.

In Victoria

Melbourne, -January 28. — All Victorian, bushfires are under control and should be out if the cool

weather lasts a few more days, a country fire authority reported to conditions expected during the

next few days should, give fire fighters and farmers a well-earned respit from the fire threat.

In many towns fire fighters and volunteers are resting following their almost sleepless vigil over the last

few days. However, a strict watch is being kept on controlled fires to prevent them getting away.

Armed groups of police and property owners were reported today to be ;seeking out and destroying pitifully burned sheep and cattle on blackened grazing land.

Cattle and sheep in the Corring Tinaldra district will be fed from a fodder pool to which local farmers are contributing.

About 50 tons of lucerne hay and 500 bags of oats have been donated to the pool by Mr. fairbain, M.H.R.

One of six men admitted to Walwa hospltal with serious burns is on the danger list.