PLANTATION BURNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 299, 1 October 1935, Page 6

PLANTATION BURNED

NATIVE BUSH NEAR DUNEDIN. CITY CORPORATION LOBS. <Per Press Association). DUNEDIN, September 30. A fire which swept over Flagstaff on Sunday destroyed about 25 acres of the City Corporation's plantation. About 50 acres inside the firebreaks were damaged, and about half this area comprised native bush. In addition, a considerable area- of native bush outside the breaks was destroyed. Although no accurate estimate of the damage suffered through the destruction of the plantation can be given, it is stated that the cost of replanting the area will be about £3 an acre. In addition to this, the corporation has lost .the value of from three to five years’ growth. It is not known definitely what caused the fire, which started at the back of Swampy Hill. It swept along on a front of about four miles, and by the time it had been brought under control hundreds of acres had been burned. It is believed that the fencing was not seriously damaged 1 ,, because of the speed with which the flames passed over the ground. About 40 men of the reserves department staff assisted by members of a tramping club, tried to check the flames by burning breaks; but the fire travelled too fast, and the men had' to get out in a hurry. The fire was still burning this evening at the back of Flagstaff. It is intended to replant the 25 acres this year, and the superintendent of reserves (Mr D. Tannock) said to-day that in future the danger to plantations will be reduced by burning off, under control, those portions of reserves which offer a field for the rapid advance of tussock fires.