FLAX AREA BURNT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 82, 8 April 1931, Page 3

FLAX AREA BURNT

HEAVY LOSS TO OWNER

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. After destroying (Jo'O acres of sla.nding /lax a lire which broke out last. Friday is still burning in a swamp at Tqrehape, Hauraki Plains. The outbreak, which occurred at Mr. C. W. Ingrain's mill, destroyed between 0000 and 10,000 tons of millablo leaf, which will take between four and live years to replace, and was estimated to be worth £12.000. Mr. Ingram said the fire started on tho northern boundary of the property at about 9 o'clock on Friday morning, and within about three hours swept right through the flax area, which was in one largo swamp. There was a strongnortherly wind, and although the outbreak was detected soon after it commenced there was no chance of stopping it. Twenty-five men employe^ at the mill were called out to cut firebreaks in the swamp, but the flames travelled through the dry peat and flax 'aster than they could work.. The men wore forced to retreat and make a further attempt, but before they could cut another break the fire had reached them. Gradually they were forced back until the flames had swept through the whole property. The fire travelled along a front over a mile long, and the men could not check it. The area was considered one of the most valuable in New Zealand, having produced in one season as much as 380 tons of hemp valued at £11,000. It .will now be necessary to close the mill for at least four years, while 25 men will be put out of work. A previous mill on the same property was burned in 1918.