BIG GORSE FIRE

POWER' LINES DAMAGED

to the "Evening Post.") / '.PALMERSTON ■ N., This Day. Considerable damage was done to power lines when "a gorse fire broke out in a section adjoining Penny's Line on Saturday afternoon. The fire originated on a property farmed by Mr. Rangi Puki, of Rangiotu, and, fanned by a very strong wind, soon assumed dangerous proportions. Numerous farmers in • the vicinity, attracted by the blaze and smoke, motored to the scene and took steps' to prevent the fire spreading. At one time the fire actually crossed the road into the dry grass, but was suppressed. The Power Board's 11,000-volt line along Penny's Line was destroyed for a distance of about a quarter of a mile, and those in the vicinity were powerless to stop this damage, as the. flames were over 20ft high. All the crossarms were burnt off the poles and the wires were levelled to' the grtmnd, while a transformer was also burnt out. : s. Temporary repairs were made to the line by the board's gangs from Feilding and Palmerston North on Saturday, evening.