SMOKE ON THE HILLS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 11, 14 January 1928, Page 8

SMOKE ON THE HILLS

PBOBABLY A SCRUB FIRE Hopes were revived to some extent when the following message was received from, the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office last night: "The postmaster at Eongotea states that Mr. Stringer, foreman of the State Forest Service, reports that smoke is issuing from the Tararua ranges, approximately behind Levin, and is apparently a signal, and not a bush fire." When the above message was referred to the postmaster at Levin last night he stated that he had seen smoke and flame which appeared to bo up in the hills behind Shannon and towards Mangahao. It had, however, first been observed at Levin a couple of days ago. He had been in communication with the postmaster at Shannon, and as far as could be gathered the blaze was from a fire among gome scrub. Later the following message was received from the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department: — "The Postmaster, Eongotea, supplements his message to the G.P.O. with the following: Mr. Stringer reports that fire is apparently in the foothills, forty-two degrees magnetic bearing from the mouth of the Bangitikei Biver. He feels certain, it is not a bush fire." The Post and Telegraph officers in ■Wellington asked tbat further inquiries should bo made this morning, the matter to be treated as urgent, and about noon a message was received from the postmaster, Shannon, as follows: —"Smoke observed by Mr. Stringer was probably a scrub fire on Mr. Kobbie's property situated at the heights overlooking Ihakara, Levin. This smoke was observed by a number of bowlers from the Shannon bowling green between 6.30 and 7.30 p.m. Mangahao hydro reports did not observe any smoke from surrounding locality; will investigate and report later. Will be able to confirm scrub fire on Mr. Bobbie's property late to-day. Police also investigating." Later the postmaster at Levin sent this message: — "Dense smoko apparently in Mangahao direction last night caused rumours connecting it with signals. Communicated then with Shannon and Public Works, Mangaore, every indication . pointed to bush fire, especially as we had observed similar amokc in same locality two days earlier. As smoke came from direction of Arapcti homestead, Mr. Hartley of Public Works, Mangaore, went there last night to investigate. Found that smoke came from direction Ohau Biver. Indications point to burning off scrub ljy Kobbie Bros, the heights at back of northern Ihakara. Mr. Law mustering sheep in that direction to-day has taken field glasses. Will confirm or otherwise and report to-night. Meantime our trampers are in a direction that would give them somewhat distant view of locality from above. Investigated closely last night and this morning but discovered no reason to associato smoke •with a signal. Police and journalists hold similar view. Am watching po-

sition closely in connection with tramping authorities. Police taken no further action. Deem not warranted."