BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 February 1908, Page 2

BUSH AND GRASS FIRES.

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

Nelson, in common with other parts of the Dominion, has suffered from the effect? of bush and grass fires. Many settlers have been heavy losers, mostly through the thoughtless selflshneßs of those who have all to gain and nothing to lose by a "burn." On the other hand, a large extent of the country that has had the fire through it will be vastly unproved. Even those settlers who have lost vast areas of grass for the time being, would soon forget their troubes if a good rain fell. The woTst feature in these cases is that settlers were not prepared for the sudden loss of grassland not only that, but the destruction of fences, and the necessity of disposing of all the stock they have been prepared to winter, and selling them at a sacrifice. Many will be heavy losers in consequence. Then again the necessity of re-sow-ing a considerable proportion of the burnt areas will mean a heavy outlay, which many may not be prepared to face. As everyone who knows anything of bush land, all know, unless land is sown during the proper season, and as soon after the fire has gone over it as practicable, it will become a mass of fern and other noxious weeds, and in time, say after two or three years, with a dry summer, it will be a menace to all the country round about it. Ii all the country that has been cleared by fire this summer is properly sown with good grass, there will be room for a good many more thousands of sheep than is being carried at present; and it will do away with one of the arguments used by those holding pessimistic views with reeard to the establishment of freezing works. Floekß will be increased, hence there will be more need than ever for Nelson to have freezing works of her own. Of course it is not expocted that the whole of the land traversed by fires will be sown; but we may rest assured that the majority of settlers who have been visited by fire will sow as much as ever they possibly can for their own sakes.

Let us all continue to hope that useful rains will fall soon and break up the present severe drought and the monotony of sunshine, and put an end to all anxiety with regard to fires and scarcity of water.