FARM PROPERTIES ENDANGERED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 6

FARM PROPERTIES ENDANGERED

SERIOUS SWAMP FIRE IN THE NORTH STRENUOUS TIME FOR SETTLERS About 4000 acres of peat country in the Ruakura Swamp have been swept by fire in the last six weeks, and during the last few days the flames have menaced many farm properties (states the "New Zealand Herald”). The triangle between Motumaoho, Ruakura, and Taupiri is enveloped in clouds of smoke originating from numerous fires which are now spread over a large part of the area enclosed in the triangle. An early fall of rain usually confines these fires to within reasonable limits, but this summer the continued spell of dry weather and the strong winds which have been prevalent have thoroughly dried the bracken and scrub as well as the peat and have supplied the fire with ample fuel. It is expected that ultimately the fire will do more good than harm for it is leaving in l its trail fine red ash which forms an excellent seed bed for surface sown grass seed. In many parts, however, good pastures, fences, and culvert bridges have been destroyed and much individual loss has been sustained. The farm properties along the Piako Road, which extends for about five miles from Gordonton to Motumaoho form the centre of the fire zone and here a good deal of damage has been done.

Several hundred acres of flax land which had been planted by the Fred Seifert Company, Limited, were surrounded by fire and employees of the company and neighbouring settlers have had an exceedingly busy time keeping the fire away from the cultivated land. Several bridges across culverts and drains were found alight and the fire in each case was suppressed by the application of water from the drains. Some of the men have worked all night safeguarding property and the strenuous work involved is beginning to tell on them.

On the property of Mr. C. Nelson White, who lives at Ngaruawahia, the fire had swept across about 20 acres of second-class pasture and had run within a few inches of an unoccupied dwelling when it was discovered by neighbours. They immediately ran over and beat the fire out.

Further along the Piako Road, in the direction of Motumaoho, the fire had caught the scrub and peat on both sides of the road, and there was imminent danger of the peat under the thoroughfare becoming ignited and the ■ road bing undermined. These facts were communicated to the Waikato County engineer, Mr. A. A. Woodward, who authorised Mr. A. Riddington to take what steps were necessary and to employ what labour was required' to keep the road open Mr. Riddington and Mr. J. F. Humphreys, two local settlers, Have spent hours digging away the burning peat and in safeguarding the highway. Their efforts succeeded in checking the fire, and the road is now in no immediate danger. • Some miles of fencing, bordering the various properties, have been destroyed. In spite of the dry weather, there is still water running in the swamp drains, and this supply has been of incalculable assistance to the fire-fight-ers in their efforts to cope with the outbreak.

A house owned by the Fred Seifert Flax Company, Ltd., was surrounded by fire, but the timely arrival and strenuous work of the company’s employees saved the dwelling The managing director of the company, Mr. Fred Seifert, of Morrinsville, was among the foremost of those engaged in fighting the flames. Mr. Seifert spent most of one night in suppressing a fire which threatened to destroy an important bridge on the Piako Road near the Motumaoho railway station.

The fire in the Ruakura Swamp is too widespread and too deep-rooted in the peat to be spectacular, although at intervals flames shoot up from the heart of tall ti-tree and a heavy volume of smoke issues. Occasionally the smoke is caught in a whirlwind and the effect is most interesting. In the Orini area conditions similar to those prevailing along the Piako Road obtain, and much damage to pastures and fences has been reported. There is no means of extinguishing the fires until heavy rain falls, and all the settlers can do is to keep watch and attack the fire in places where they observe it is likely to do damage • to property No loss of stock has been reported. A serious effect of the swamp fire is the fog which it assists in creating In the mornings the smoke-laden atmosphere intensifies the fog, and the roads become very dangerous for motorists.