FIRES IN HIGH COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25306, 4 October 1947, Page 5

FIRES IN HIGH COUNTRY

MUCH DAMAGE NEAR RAILWAY LINE

Fires last month in the high country of the Waimakariri river catchment area near Cass and Craigieburn did considerable damage to pasture and vegetation, according to reports presented to the North Canterbury Cctchment Board yesterday. The Soil Conservation officer (Mr R. O. Dick) reported fires along the Midland railway line, which, it was stated, were caused by railway surfacemen burning roughage and by sparks from railway engines. About 2300 acres had been covered by five fires. These uncontrolled fires, damaging large areas of native vegetation, were a menace to soil conservation, an expense to firefighters. and inculcated fear in the minds of local the report stated. Recommendations from the soil conservation and erosion committee that the board should consider supporting claims for compensation made by landowners against the Railway Department, and that the board should approach the Public Works,, Land and Survey Railway Departments, and the Main Highways Board and arrange an inspection of the area with representatives of the Cafchr.’snt Board, the Canterbury Rural Fire Prevention Committee, and the landowners, were approved. “Two years ago a chain of fires broke cut all along the line between Kowhai Bush and Cass after the passage of a train,” said Dr. J. G. Jobberns moving the committee's recommendation. “We took this up with the Railway Department. but nothing could be got out of the department except that they were using soft coal in an engine and had to have a heavy draught. “The recent series of fires at Craigieburn .and Cass has been much more serious. Thousands of acres were burned the* Craigieburn Homestead was in danger, and a Canterbury University College biological station at Cass was narrowly saved.” Dr. Jobberns said landowners should be supported to the limit of the board’s ability. ___