SEA OF FLAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1932, Page 15

SEA OF FLAMES

HATJKIKI PLAINS BLAZE

SPREAD TO FLAX AREAS

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, 29th January

Thousands of acres of valuable daily land and many homesteads on the Hauraki Plains are still in danger of damage owing to tho spread of peat and old forest' fires. Early this afternoon it was reported that an area of 500 acres was practically a sea of flames at Kaihcre, on tho property of Mr. E. E. Smallfield, who yesterday with his family vacated; his' dwelling.' All his dairy stock was removed to a place of safety.

"If tho firo spicads tho damage to pasture land and property will bo tremendous," said a settler. "A desperate fight has been waged day and night for several days, and is still in progress. All wo .pray for is calm weather. A strong blow would give u'sino chance whatever, but if tho weather remains tronquil for a few days -wo hope, with tho water at our disposal and the extra he^p we are obtaining, to keep tho outbreak within reasonable.limits.''

A block o^ some hundreds of acres of Government land which has been planted in flax is now being invaded by tho fire.' The area affcetod contains between 500 and 600 acres of growing flax. Officers of the Lands Department are making desperate efforts to save tho area;

A report from Ngatea this afternoon stated that four telegraph wires were down.: Tho wind was veering round toward tho south, and efforts wore being mads to 'prevent the flames from crossing the main road. There were 80 men engaged in fire-fighting.