A CEASELESS WATCH.

In the meantime pumping plants and long lengths of fire hose are ready for instant use at danger points to check any threatened outbreak. The forestry companies' staffs, aided by air observation, are maintaining a ceaseless watch to check early any menace which might develop to the big plantations which commence about 10 miles to the north. Although it did not threaten the township, the fire is the worst Taupo has had since about 16 years ago, when women and children were called out to save the township. The annual recurrence of these fires and the extent of the present outbreak are focusing attention upon the township's need of some mobile fire-fighting organisation and equipment to meet the challenge of scrub fires before they have time to develop to major proportions.