BIG SWAMP FIRE NEAR LEVIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 4870, 14 February 1933, Page 3

BIG SWAMP FIRE NEAR LEVIN.

OVER 1200 TONS OF FLAX DESTROYED. A fire of considerable dimensions raged last night in a flax swamp on the Hannan Estate, on the south side of the Hokio . Beach Road. Commencing at about 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, it was fanned by a. westerly gale and spread until between eighty and ninety acres were burnt out, representing a loss of from 1200 to 1500 tons of flax. Under the weather conditions prevailing there was no hope of coping with the outbreak, which had had a good start. At. midday yesterday the fire was still in progress, though on a diminished scale, creeping against the wind in the south-west corner. Besides entailing a loss to the landowners, the conflagration means a loss of industry to Messrs Harper Bros.’ mill, on Arawliata Road, the quantity of flax destroyed being equivalent to about six months’ run of the mill. Owing to the drought experienced during the greater part of the summer, the plants were in such a condition that they would burn right out, making re-growth impossible. About eight weeks ago, between 400 and 500 tons of growing flax was destroyed by fire at the back of Pnpaitongn. The mill has other sources of supply, hut it is probable that, as a result of these two fires, it will he idle in the second or third season from the present. After being shut down for twelve months, it lias been awaiting the opening of the projected sack factory, and it is hoped to have it running again in the coming spring. There is a fair supply of flax alongside the mill, with some more in another part of the Hannan Estate, towards Waiwiri. The swamp that was swept by fire lies between Arawlinta and Beach Road.