PLANTATION FIRE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28697, 22 September 1958, Page 10

PLANTATION FIRE

Incendiarism Alleged

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN. Sept. 21. Fire burnt out hundreds of acres of plantation land on the north-west face of Flagstaff hill near Dunedin today. It was under control late tonight, although still burning. The blaze was deliberately lit. said the city superintendent of reserves (Mr M. R. Skipworth). At 11 p.m. there appeared to be no likelihood of the flames crossing the Whare Fl&t road to a more valuable plantation; but dozens of acres of small trees—two to five years old-y-seemed destined to be lost.

Mr Skipworth said the fire had been lit within the firebreaks. It had been spotted promptly by a patrolman, who had tried to put it out, but had to call for help. Several of the firefighters told a reporter that someone had lit the fire, tramped across country, and lit another fire at Ross creek near Woodhaugh, a suburb of Dunedin.

The hut of the Otago Tramping Club was saved, although the walls were scorched. A member of the club said that more than 100 trees which had been planted as a windbreak had been destroyed.

Thousands of pounds worth of timber belonging to the City Council were lost.