THE BUSH FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1926, Page 7

THE BUSH FIRES.

OVER IN VICTORIA. QUENCHED BY RAIN. STILL BURNING IN N.S.W. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) I •> (Received 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. Reports from the country districts of this State indicate that practically all danger from further bush "fires has been removed by sharp showers of train.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) VICTORIAN RELIEF. (Received 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. After inspecting the effects of the fires in the ravaged districts, the Secretary to the Cabinet states that, apart from the work which will devolve upon the Government, a sum of between £120,000 and £150,000 will be required to give the sufferers a fresh start.—(A. and N.Z.) HOW THE FIRES STARTED. CRIMINAL, IF TRUE. SYDNEY, February 22. A huge fire is still raging in the Bago forest district at Tumbarumba. Officials of the Forestry Department say they believe fresh fires are being deliberately starteel in order to improve pasture grass, regardless of the menace to valuable State forests or of the danger to the lives of scores of fire-fighters, and notwithstanding the awful lesson of the Gippsland bush fires. A desperate endeavour is being made to save the vast ash seedling plantations. The fire there is apparently in hand and the danger to the plantations has been averted unless further heavy winds should be experienced.— (A. and N.Z.) RAIN IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Received 12 noon.) SYDNEY, this day. The protracted heat wave has broken over the greater part of the State, whence cool, showery weather is reported.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) PROFITING BY LESSON. (Received 12.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The Hon. Mr. Pearce (Minister of Home Affairs and Territories) announces that, in view of the need of scientific forest research, the Federal Government will open a Forestry College at Canberra next year. The bush fire disaster, said the Minister, had taught Victoria a lesson. Although tlie Federal Government waa not charged with the duty of conserving Australian forests, there was, nevertheless, a national aspect to the question, and in that the Government was interested.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.)