PINE PLANTATION DESTROYED

Evening Star, Issue 20685, 7 January 1931, Page 6

PINE PLANTATION DESTROYED

FIRE ENDANGERS HOSPITAL 1 [Per United Press AsiocxlttOV.] CHRISTGHURCH,, January 6. A serious fire broke out this afteruooii in the lupines on the sandhills near Bottle Lake and spread to tha Hospital Board’s pine plantations-. Fanned by a heavy north-west wind,, the fire threatened to spread over ai wide front in the pine plantations, lupines, gorse, and other inflammable growth, all now very dry, with destruction to property, and some danger; to parts of the seaside suburb of New Brighton. . The infectious diseases hospital at Bottle Lake was early in danger, but though branches of the fire spread almost to the walls of the buildings, the fire passed without doing any damage. The hospital staff quickly removed the twenty-three patients to a place of safety, and preparations were made for salvaging everything movable There are about 150 acres in the Mospital Board’s pine plantation, the trees ranging in age from sixteen to two years, old. All this area was burnt out. Not far away, but safe tor the present, is a much larger area of Low acres planted in pines by the City Council. . -, n The fire burned fiercely until 10 o’clock, when its progress was ai rested by a belt of green elderberry growing w'ild among the lupines and gorse. JUe onlv damage done was to the trees ami some fencing. . . , ■, It is estimated that the amounts to between £B,OOO anti £IO,OOO.