DANGERS OF BUSH FIRES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 8

DANGERS OF BUSH FIRES

(To the Editor.) Sir, —With, the prospect of a dry season the dangers arising from bush fires should not be overlooked. We have today received a letter from one of our members suggesting certain methods for the protection of forest reserves owned or controlled by the Wellington City Council. It reads:— "Would it not be possible during the dry season for the City Council to have some official on a motor-bike patrolling at intervals the City Council's forest reserves (as at Akatarawa and elsewhere) so as to warn, motorists, picnickers, and others against carelessly starting fires which may do irreparable damage? At present there is little or no attempt made to restrain these mischievous activities, or to bring their- .authors to book. Also the wholesale and useless devastation caused by stripping fern leaves from the fern trees, or breaking off branches, etc.,'merely to adorn their cars would be prevented and duly punished by a regular patrolling of atiy bush likely to be so injured. I commend the idea to your association." May we suggest that it would ,be a public service if you would give publicity to this matter?—We are, etc., WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS' ASSN. December 14.