Further Blaze On Hikurangi Swamp

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1946, Page 4

Further Blaze On Hikurangi Swamp

Fanned by the strong southerly breeze yesterday aflernon the peat fire at the Jordan River end of the Hikurangi swamp broke into flame;* endangering three neighbouring properties.

The outbreak occurred at about 1 p.m. and it soon became apparent that it would take a lot of stopping. The Hikurangi Volunteer Fire Brigade was called with its booster pump and as the residents. anticipating such an event, had dammed up a nearby creek there was an abundance of water. It is the shortage o. water that lias rendered many ol' the efforts of Ihe fire brigade on the swamp fire ineffectual.

If the fire had not been controlled the bush-clad slopes of Hikurangi Mountain were in imminent danger of the ravaging flames.

By 5 p.m. property and bush were on* of danger and this morning the earth was just smouldering. In the middle of Saturday afternoon the huge column of smoke billowing up in tin direction of Hikurangi attracted the attention of many Whangarei residents. NGAIOTONGA SUBDUED The Lands and Survey Department in Whangarei reports ’hat all is quiet in the Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve. Two men are on constant patrol.