THE PEAT FIRES

Evening Star, Issue 21945, 4 February 1935, Page 3

THE PEAT FIRES

HAMILTON SWELTERS IN HEAT WAVE HEAVY PALL OF SMOKE (Ter United Press Association.] HAMILTON, February 2. Hamilton is sweltering in a neat wave to-day, the thermometer registering over 90deg before noon, and this afternoon it rose to 94. The record maximum temperature, 95deg, "'as reached yesterday. The town is obscured under a heavy pall of smoke from the bush and peat fires. Sir Alexander Young’s prompt action caused the immediate employment of relief labour to fight the fires in the outlying districts.

AUCKLAND, February 3. Oppressive heat has been experienced in the Waikato during the last four days, the temperature rising to 95deg in the shade on Friday and 94deg on Saturday. These were the highest readings yet recorded in Hamilton_ this summer, and are believed to constitute a record. Late on Saturday afternoon steady rain set in in Hamilton_ and continued for two hours. The rainfall in Hamilton totalled .17in. Localities directly north and south of Hamilton experienced veritable deluges between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., but the weather then cleared and no rain has been since experienced. Although tanks were filled and the danger of further grass fires temporarily averted, the rain did not penetrate far into the ground, and the peat fires were unchecked. DESPAIRING SETTLER. AUCKLAND, February 2. “ T am done now, and cannot fight the fires any longer. They can burn the little remaining grass and the house, and I will not stop them,” said Mr F. E. B. Lovelock, of Eureka, Waikato, who has been struggling against the fires single-handed for weeks. Mr Lovelock is the occupier of a property of 2,500 acres, known as Waverley Islands. It is in the centre of the peat fire area, and comprises over 800 acres of good grass and pastures. The fires have annihilated all save fifty acres of the improved land, while 80 per cent, of the unimproved portion is a smouldering furnace. “ If the Comity Council or someone had sent me one or two 1 men we could have saved hundreds of acres and two large haystacks,” added Mr Lovelock. “In this district farmers are on the verge of absolute ruin.”