THE HORORATA FIRE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13018, 21 January 1908, Page 7

THE HORORATA FIRE.

A drive over the burnt-out district at Hororata showed that the account* which have been publish**! of the widespread devastation cfTd not at all overstate tho position. As far as the eve could reach one saw a blackened waste. A curious feature of tho scene yesterday was a mirage— not uncommon to the district—which mad© it appear as if a large river was Sowing through a desert, its wutere sparkling in tho sun. A pathetic in tores t attached to tho clump of pimw at what. hi kuown as "The Crossing," being the first trees planted by the late Sir John Hall, on tno highest part- of_T»is rua, •with a view of seeing whether they would thrive on the plains. These appeared to have been severely scorched, but it is to be hoped that they will recover, so that a notable landmark may be preserved. As already stated. a considerable portion of the County Council's plantations wae destroyed*, and it is almost n miracle that tho whole of tho trees were not swept away by the fire. By wltat we cannot help regarding as a want of judgment, tho plantations consist almost entirely of pinus ineignis, a tree which, although excellent lor shelter, is comparatively useless for timber. It is to be hoped tliat tho burnt-out plantations may be replanted with «a variety of suitable trees of more economic value. Although, aa already stated, a number of Iwires and rabbits were burnt, swanne of stirvivtms were seen wandering about the country, and it- is to b© feared that unless steps are taken to keep them down thov will levy very heavy toll on the feed on tho holdings that escaped the fire. Great sympathy is felt in the district, for tho sufferers by tho disaster, especially* for Mr Henry, who ap]>ears to do bearing a heavy losa very pluckily, and who was met on the road driving the remnant of his flockto market, the whole of his property having, as already stated, been, burnt out.