AFTER THE FIRES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18604, 1 February 1926, Page 9

AFTER THE FIRES.

BLACKENED FIELDS AND LOST FENCES.

FARMERS' DIFFICULTIES. The. Works Committee of the Ashburton County Council, including the chairman (Mr W. G. Gallagher), on Saturday ruado a. tour of inspection of the Chertscy, Dromore, Pcndarves, and Seafield districts, which were devastated by the grass fire on Friday, with a view to ascertaining the amount of damage done to the County Plantations and fences on the farms affected, and with a view to making a report to tho Council at its nest meeting. Interviewed by a representative of "The Press," Mr Gallagher stated: "We have been right down through tho burnt area, past several places whero all tho outbuildings havo been burnt. Tho greatest difficulty presenting itself to the farmers is tho loss of fencing, which is going to bo a serious matter. Wo could see whero an enormous amount of work had been carriod out with lire breaks, and over and above all there has been tho splendid rain which, has been a benefit to the whole countryside. It was a distressing sight to sco so much feed burnt, but. fortunately thero was not much crop destroyed. Wo arc trying to arrive at an approximate cost of the loss of fencing. "Tho situation lias assumed a serious aspect, and tho immediate requirements will bo to replaco tho fencing. Those people .who havo leased Council reserves are in'lit-very bad way, and many of them aro looking to tho Government for help. I do not yet know what action the Council will take in replacing the destroyed fences. 'ln a great many.cases stock is wandering all over tho roads, there being nothing to hold them. Tho pastures aro completely destroyed on somo places, and farmers aro faced with tho problem of obtaining feed for their stock. Tho rain has proved of inestimable value, and down at tho coast tho water was lying on tho sido of tho roads in somo places. It is a groat blessing to tho whole country. Overshadowing all is the tragic death of Mr W. Page, and we are flying the flags half-mast in recognition of a bravo man."

LATE MR W. PAGE. Expressions of very deep regret were voiced ip Ashburton on Saturday at the death of Mr W. Page, who succumbed at 1.45 a.m. at tho County Hospital, where ho was removed on Friday on account of having beon severely burnt at Dromore while assisting to suppress the grass fire.

Mr Page was one of the keenest sportsmen in the county, and interested himself actively in every project for the advancement of Ashburton. He also achieved great success in every branch of sport which ho undortoQk, Born at Allenton nearly 41 years ago, he was educated at the Borough School, and first entered the cycle shop of the late Mr R. D. Johnston, and later was employed by the local branch of the New Zealand Co-op. as a salesman for sis years. During later years, Mr Page entered the motor trade on his own account, and was subsequently bought out by Bui'ck Sales, his services being retained as managor. He left for Christchurch a few years ago, and there manage&the business of Combined Buyers, Ltd., for about twelve months, after which ho returned to his nativo town and joined the firm of Pago Motors, Ltd., in a managerial capacity, a position which he held until the time of his death. Mr Page was a Borough Councillor from May, 1921, \to June, 1923. He was a useful member of the Ashburton County Racing and Trotting Clubs, the Acclimatisation Society, Borough School Committee, St. Stephen's Church Vestry, and was also chairman of the recently-formed Ashburton branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association. The Ashburton County Rugby Sub-Union and Referees' Association greatly benefited by Mr Page's connexion with them, and he was also one of the founders of the present Ashburton Boxing Association. Mr Page's sporting career commenced about 1904, when ho joined the Hakatere Club, which,catered for athletics, football, boxing, and the social welfare of its members. Eventually ha was a valuable officer of tho club, being on the committee, 'and subsequently captain. Ho first entered tho ring in September •of 1904, and thence onward met with varying success, among other things winning a novico tournament in Christchurch tho same year and in later years the light-weight championship of Canterbury. Football occupied a great deal of Mr Page's time during his younger days, and ho was captain of the Hakatere Club's junior team in 1905, a member of tho sonior team in 1907, and captained tho Ashburton Club's senior fifteen which won tho Rugby Union's competition and banner in 1908. 116 was also a member of tho Ashburton Rifle Volunteers. As assist-ant-secretary of the first Ashburton gala, which was promoted about four yeats ago in tho interest of the various sports bodies in tho town, Mr Pago displayed his organising ability, and he was actively interested in subsequent galas. Of lato years lie lia'd been widely known as a capable and fair referee of boxing matches, and had controlled contests all over- Now Zealand, his latest engagement in this capacity being tho Cascy-Volairo fight at Christchurch oil Thursday night. Ho was also engaged to go to Dunedin this week. Mr Page was :i member of the Ashburton Masonic Lodge, 1811, B.C. He leaves a wifo and four children, threo girls and a boy. Flags were flown at half-mast at the Borough and County Council offices on Saturday and yesterday as a mark of respect to the lato Mr Page.

The Funeral. The funeral took place at Ashburton yesterday, when tlio cortege comprising over 300 cars, testified to the late Mr Page's popularity. A mmiljer of County and Borough Councillors, including the Mayor (Mr R. Gnlbraith), and the chairman of tho County Council (Mr W. G. Gallagher), together with representatives of almost every sports body, and various local bodies, were also present. Both Constitutions of tho Ashburton Masonic Lodge were also largely represented, and among others present was the Hon. \V. Nosworthy. Hundreds of people lined the to the cemetery, and tho graveside' 1 ceremony, which was conducted by the Eev. J. P. Wiseman, was attended by over 2000 people, the farming community being well represented. The funeral was by far the largest ever seen in the Ashburton County, this being due, no doubt, to Mr Page's connexion with so many local bodies. Floral tributes were received from local bodies and friends, and were carried on a special motor-truck. The pall-Tfearers were Messrs D. Stock, E. Stock, E. Stock, and C. Stock, brothers-in-law of the late Mr Page. Reference to tho loss the county had sustained through the death of Mr Page was made at both of tho services at St. Stephen's Church by tho Eev. J. P. Wiseman yesterday. At the graveside he stated that although it was not customary, he felt that he could not let the occasion pass without making some remarks-about the man whom they all knew as "Bill" Page, and who had given his life for the common good* Especially during tho last few yeargj he had put his heart and soul into the