GRASS FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 9

GRASS FIRES.

ENGINE SPARKS AND LIABILITY 'OF 1 , . THE STATE.,:: V.'." , (BY TELEGEAJH.—SPECIAL' CORRESPONDENT.) {•;<* • ChristohurchjApriro. The question of grass ,ih'es\causcd,'by';rail-' ivay engines was brought ■ before ; the Ashbiirton County Council at".its me?tiiig;;yester-, day by Mr. James Allen, of-promore, -who" stated that a largo plantation leased by. him' from tho Council had been 'practical!)' .ruined as a result cf a firo that*- had'-beeU 'started' by a railway, engine in January .'VHe "estimated his loss at £200;" and 'an applicationfor compensation to the 'Railway' Department h'ad been ignored. He-urged the Council' to approach the Government-''on his' behalf, 1 , and to. endeavour to 'indiice;;tho ■ authorities to supply him with material: to' rc-erect (200 chains of fencing.

During tho discussion- which'.followed- the application, it was. urged" that the Government was directly responsible for a largo number of tho fires that had occurred during recent years' in-.'Stlib 'county, and tho Council itself had 105t;.,-hundreds of pounds through valuable plantations being destroyed. It was suggested that-vlcgislation should bo introduced to provide that settlers-, or, local bodies should bo compensated'for" fires that were the outcome of ' •sparks 'from -Tailway ongines. Tho Council , divided to; support Mr. Allen's claim for fenciug .material. .' .