FOREST LOSS BY FIRE

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXIV, Issue 6576, 13 October 1939, Page 3

FOREST LOSS BY FIRE

NEED FOR MOKE ACTION

In commeiidiag the Hon. F. Liengstone's appeal for the necessary cooperation of the public in saving forests —especially native forests—from fire, Captain E. V. Sanderson, president of the Fo-est and Bird Protection Society, declares that the time is overdue for stronger measures against persons who, directly or indirectly, are the cause of the buik of the fire havoc. There has been plenty of publicity about glowing cigarette butts, pipe dottles, lighted wax matches thrown from motor cars, "live" ashes left by campers and trampers and careless scrub burning by farmers and others. What is to be done about it? Will the careless be allowed to persist in their stupid practices? Will the authorities rely mainly on "mwral suasion?" It is held that the burning of scrub and similar clearing by lire should be subject to permit in all districts, and that notice of such burning .should be broadcast so the occupiers of adjoining property could be on the alert. It is urged also that another need is a better control of timber milling, so that the conditions after the cutting, will not be so extremely favourable for fire. Too often, in the past, the timber miller has prepared the way for the fire fiend. There has been too much tolerance of carelessness. Accident.—Mr J. McQueen junr., (Holmes Bay) who was thrown from his horse and dragged on Tuesday, receiving severe head injuries and a broken bone in his arm, was reported on Wednesday morning to be in a critical condition. Emergency Precautions Scheme.—; All interested are reminded that the Akaroa County Council is holding a meeting at Duvauchelle's Hall on Saturday (to-morrow) to consider organisation for the control of all essential services which may be suspended by a national disaster or by enemy action. In addition to local body representatives the general public and all persons interested are invited to attend. Men Leaving i'or Camp.—On Monday Messrs D. Erickson (Akaroa), J. Masefield (Akaroa), Ivan Turner (Barrys Bay) and Darce Le Comte (Little River) go into camp for training for the Special N.Z. Expeditiorery force. J. Masefiela has joined the artillery and will go to the Ngaruawahia camp, the othe three volunteers going to Burnhaii- camp.