FOREST FIRES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 December 1924, Page 10

FOREST FIRES.

DANGER FROM LOCOMOTIVE SPARKS. ; " SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF NULLIFIES.

For some time past the attention of the State Forest Service has been directed towards the - protection of' indigenous and exotic forests from fire. The lpok-out stations which have been established in the State forests throughout the Doininion have rendered excellent service in protecting the. national timber assets by suppressing outbreaks before they have time to get a good hold. But there are other dan-

gers which have to be guarded against. The worst oif these is the danger of sparks from locomotives, bush engines, and mill stacks igniting the forests through which they pass. Spark Nullifier Tried Out. The State Forest Service recently carried out a most interesting demonstration at Kotorua with a Cheney spark nullifier. At the invitation of the State Forest Service, and with the

active co-operation of the National Timber Co., Ltd., through their chairman of directors (Sir Edwin Mitchelson) and their manager (Mr McKone), a demonstration was recently given to a party on the National Timber Company’s locomotive on the heavy gradients that exist from Lake Rotorua to the high bush country to the north. Arriving at the National Timber Co.’s mill on the shore of the lake (states the Rotorua Chronicle), the party was taken in charge by Mr McKone, and conducted through the mill to where the. company’s locomotive, with a load of logs and a trolley, with seating accommodation, was waiting, with steam up. It was expected that the locomotive, one of Messrs Price’s well-known geared tractors, was fitted with a Cheney spark nullifier, which had been in constant use for 12 months. The night was intensely black, and save for a few light sparks which lifted when firing, and which died before reaching the ground, no light was visible. Reaching the heavy gradients, down to one in 15, where the engine was called upon to do its utmost, the sparks were under, complete control. A stop was made, and the sparkarresting apparatus removed, an operation that occupied under a minute. Resuming, still facing a heavy gradient, a brilliant pyrotechnic'display, was witnessed. Against a dead black background, there was a huge fan of bright sparks, interspersed with dull, j red discs, denoting the dangerous in- j

candescent charcoal, that causes fires. along the track to leeward of the train was a trail of sparks, th© wet ground preventing damage. As the foliage brushes the locomotive, and in the cuttings arches above it, the effect in dry times can be easily understood. For some time the party watched this wonderfu 1 display of fireworks until a bend brought the wind ahead. The torient of fire descended on the passengers, and yells brought th© engine to a stop while incipient clothing fires were extinguished. The nullifier was restored and the journey continued to a sidinosome 6000 ft above the lake. The return journey then commenced. The spark control was obviously efficient both w ajs. The driver of the locomotive said that not only did the device arrest sparks, but was an actual assistance in keeping a regular head of steam and conserving fuel.