TE AROHA MOUNTAIN FIRE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 10

TE AROHA MOUNTAIN FIRE

WATER MAIN BROKEN BY Telegraph.—pmsb association, Auckland, February 11. The fire which swept the slope? of Te Aroha Mountain on Thursday and Friday was got under control on Saturday, and the safety of the Domain scenic reserve and the hot springs area is assured. The fire travelled through a mass of tangled undergrowth fo the mountain top in the direction of thousands of acres of bush country controlled by the Forestry Department, which has taken steps to safeguard it. Many volunteers remained on the mountain slopes Until 3 o’clock on Saturday morning, and several had to be assisted home- owing to exhaustion. During the height of the conflagration a portion of the frestling carrying a water main was burnt and the' loss of. vajuable water supplies from the already seriously depleted borough reservoir was occasioned. The Mayor states that full measures are being taken to sheet home the responsibility for the unauthorised lighting of a .fire in the Ruakaka area. SERVICE MQTOR-CAR DAMAGEDAt 12.18 p.m. yesterday the Central Fire Station received a call to Oriental Parade, where a public service car was op fire. The car, a five-seater sedan, was only slightly damaged, the ignition wires, which caused the fire, beipg damaged and the paint work on the bonnet slightly scorched. DESTRUCTION IN FLAX PLANTATION, • Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 18. A disastrous fire has almost completely destroyed 700 acres of flax, about eight miles east of Wellsford, and owned by Flaxlands. Ltd. The estimated damage is in the neighbourhood of £lO,OOO, but the actual Toss to the company wiU probably be much greater, because it ha? been deprived of a source of revenue for at least four years. The growth was not protected by insurance, The company owns about 1000 acres, of which 100 acres pre in swamp, DAMAGING GRASS FIREB? TEWBAPH,—PBES? ASSOCIATION, Auckland, February 13. Swept by a strong northerly wind, an extensive grass fire blazed across the summit of Mount Eden to-day, destroying much of its natural beauty, including many native trees recently planted in the crater. During the height of the fire the mountain from a distance resembled an active volcano. FIRF, IN SAWMILL. BY Telegbaph.—pws association. Taumarunui, February 13. Fire broke out at 4.80 o’clock this morning at S. Bisliqra and Co.’s sawmill at Rangiora. The building was badly gutted, but the machinery was only slightly damaged. There was no insurance on tfie mill, but the sawn timber was so covered. The need for protection against fire loss is obvious. Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Company Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.— Advt.