PASTURE DESTROYED.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 10

PASTURE DESTROYED.

GRASS FIRE IN WAIRARAPA. i, (PRESS ASSOCTATJIOH TELZOBAK.) MASTERTON, January 30. The lighting of a'fire by youths on the riverbed at Waingawa was responsible for one of the most extensive and destructive. grass fires that have occurred in this locality. Beginning at mid-day in. gorge, the blaze spread rapidly to the properties of Messrs J. Montgomery and J. A. Betts. Assisted by a growing breeze, the progress of the fire, which was startling in its rapidity, arrested the attention of five other settlers -whose places were all threatened. Volunteer helpers foregathered to cope with the outbreak and succeeded in averting the destruction of the houses, though two outbuildings on one farm were destroyed. The unfortunate aspect of the episode is that many of these farmers who had paddocks shut up -for winter feed lost the lot, principally Mr Montgomery (80 acres) and Mr Betts (40 acres). Losses of Elantations, pasture and fences are eavy. The total area swept is estimated at between 300 and 400 acres.