DESTRUCTIVE GRASS FIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3784, 4 February 1908, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE GRASS FIRE.

Early on Saturday afternoon a grass fire, which was burning in the racecourse, near the grandstand, spread into Mr Macdonald’s fibre paddocks and destroyed from 12 to 13 tons of fibre, besides a quantity of stripper tow, tarpaulin and a quantity of posts. The driver’s • cottage and other outbuildings had a narrow escape. There was only one paddocker. Mr Sid Wright, at the place at the time, but he found he was no match against the fire when it succeeded .in catching the long grass. Assistance subsequently arrived, but the fire had by that time,almost run its course, „

Mr Macdonald’s loss is between ,£250 and and much sympathy is felt for him among millers and the general public. ; Fires in the Lady’s Mile, Narrow Escape of Mr Robinson’s House. About noon yesterday ately after the special coal train left Foxton, a grass fire started on the north side of the X,ady’s Mile, which was quickly swept by the wind on to the property of Mr John #: Robinson. Mrs Robinson gave *■ the alarm, and. soon there were; many willing hands engaged in beating the fire back. At one time matters were sbdiewhat serious and Mr Robinson’s fine residence in danger,. .but everyone worked with a will and all danger was overcome. But for the timely 1 arrival of . a sufficient number* oC ; j* willing workers, the fire would ' certainly have spread to the adjoining paddocks, and Mr C. Robinson’s residence would also have been in immediate.; danger. We insert in this issue the thanks of Mr and Mrs Robinson to those • who so willingly assisted in subduing the flames. ' ,