BIG GRASS FIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 118, 19 April 1939, Page 9

BIG GRASS FIRE.

SHEEPRUNS SWEPT. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, April 18. Four sheepruns at HiUersden, .‘ls miles from Blenheim, were involved, at least two seriously, in a grass lire which broke away yesterday afternoon and spread with alarming rapidity Fortunately, the outbreak practically was entirely confined to the hills, but settlers spent an anxious night fighting to prevent the flames coining down on to the flats where grave damage could have been caused. They were helped considerably by a change in the wind, which turned in the evening to the south, and tended to blow the blaze back to the bills. This morning the weary fire-fighters returned from the all-night battle to leport that their efforts had been successful and the fire had been extinguished. As far as can lie ascertained, the fire broke away pn the Stanhope property occupied by Air R. B. at about mid-day yesterday, hut did not ass.umo serious proportions till later in the afternoon. Settlers were not long in gathering, but by the time they concentrated on the hills the wind had swept the fire along through the gullies and over the ridges from Stanhope to Wnntwood, owned by Air G. Neville, and Hartley Hills, owned hv Air F. 1,. Alurray. At the same time it spread in the opposite direction from Stanhope towards Air .T. Barry’s property slightlv to the north. At one stage the fire had a front of about four miles and extended in from the hills about a mile. Much of the area, however, consists of gullies, so that the acreage of actual pasture destroyed may not exceed fifteen bun tired. . .. There is no information regarding stock losses, but there is a distinct probability that these will be severe.