FIRE IN TUSSOCK COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23087, 1 August 1940, Page 6

FIRE IN TUSSOCK COUNTRY

* ABOUT 4000 ACRES DESTROYED -. s LITTLE LOSS OF STOCK REPORTED About 4000 acres of tussock country ifi the Glcnroy district was burnt during the early part of the week in th 6 biggest grass fire seen in the locality for 25 years. The outbreak is one Of the biggest experienced in Canterbury for some time. • Beginning somewhere between the High Peaks station and the Government reserve, at Wind whistle, the fire swept down the southern side of The Point hilts, which are the termination of the Malvern hills. The lire started on Monday afternoon, and, fanned by a strung north-west gale, it spread, over a front of about two miles and burnt ■ down the slopes for about It) miles, being linally checked between Gfcnroy and- Whitcclills. . About 50 men fought the fire, which .was checked on Tuesday evening. Since it was mainly native country, the loss is considered to be small, and it is believed that little stock was lost. Most sheep had been brought down to the flat and put on turnips, and breaks in the fire are expected to have provided avenues of escape for small mobs on the hills. At one stage, "The Peaks” homestead was endangered. The fire came within 100 yards of the woolshed, but ’ firebreaks and a large number of firefighters wore able to prevent the flumes spreading in that direction. 7" The inconvenience to the .‘■•even or eight farmers whose properties were affected is expected to be only temporary. and. since the burning was light, it is considered that, with a few good showers of rain, there will be a good strike of new grass tor the spring. FIRE SWEEPS KILLS NEAR GERALDINE NO SERIOUS DAMAGE . DONE (From Our Own Reoorter.t GERALDINE, July 31. A tussock fire which swept ever several thousand acres on the hills be- '. hind Geraldine during the last two days caused considerable anxiety to ? runholclers. but .no serious damage was ; done. A norma! spring burning, got out of control with a change of wind, and the the spread over Nolans’, Ncutze's. and Orari Gorge runs. The manager of Orari Gorge station (Mr J. M. Polhill) said that 5000 acres of tussock land on the station had been affected by the fire, which started on a neighbouring property. The fire came down near the station, and made it necessary to remove sheep. Men remained on watch throughout last night, but a change of wind saved tha situation.