FIRE SENTRIES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 8

FIRE SENTRIES

TO PROTECT THE FORESTS

NEW ZEALAND STATIONS.

A description was given in yesterday's "Post" of a new fire observation tower built by the West Australian Government to enable a large area.of forest to be supervised for the prompt detection and location of fires. This station, according to ,"The Post's". Sydney correspondent, had been active for only six .weeks, but in that time had resulted in the detection of thirteen tires.

The New Zealand State Forest Service has, according to the director, four such observation station?, which have been in operation for the past Ewo years. These stations are placed on eminences such as prominent hills or mountains from which a view of as large a portion of the surrounding country aa possible is obtained. There are "two stations in the North Island, and two in the South Island, guarding the valuable plantations of , the Forest Service, and also large areas of native bush in the vicinity. They are equipped with the most modern instruments for the accurate location of fives, and it has been, possible by their aid to quickly locate all fixes occurring on the areas under t.heir_ supervision, and to suppress the .fires in the early stages, thus preventing any great damage.