LOSS BY GRASS FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 8

LOSS BY GRASS FIRES.

NORTHERN PASTURES RUINED. SETTLERS ASK FOR STATE HELP. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN COOaEarONDENT.] Whanqaeei, Friday. State assistance-for those settlers who, suffered so heavily by the recent grass fires was sought by a deputation which interviewed the Minister for InternaL Affairs (the Hon. H. D. Bell) in Whangnrci this evening. The coat of rcgrassing the burned lands was estimated at/ between £20,000 and £30.000, and many settlers, it was stated, will be unable to finance the work themselves, and consequently will have to let

their land lie idle unless some assistance! is given to them. An appeal was made to the Government, especially on behalf of these settlers of limited means. The Minister replied that the request was the most reasonable he had heard many years. He promised to communicate 'the deputation's representations to the Minister for Lands, who would undoubtedly, he thought, do his utmost to help the settlers, as many acres Of Crown lands were affected, and also on account of the advisability of combating the growth of fern. It was also necessary to assist the dairying industry, which is the principal one in North Auckland. One speaker estimated that the three dairy factories operating in the district would distribute £10,000 or £15,000 less than in the corresponding period of last I year on account of the fires.