FLAMES OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRITISH BOWLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 10

FLAMES OUT OF CONTROL.

THE BRITISH BOWLERS.

RESERVE AT ROTORUA. FIRE BRIGADE HANDICAPPED. The second disastrous fire that has taken place in Government reserves at Rotorua during the last month, occurred on Tuesday. The fire started somewhere on the western margin of the heavy undergrowth and swept through the dry scrub with tremendous heat. The bathers at Sulphur Point and those in the vicinity became alarmed. Cars parked near the point were rushed out none too soon, for the fire was absolutely uncontrollable. The brigade was powerless in the face of distance from mains. The lake as a source of supply was directly to leeward of the mounting flames and impossible to utilise. Apart from this was the potential risk by the weight of ,the engine cracking the semi-formed roads and dropping into a pot hole. There was nothing to do but let the burn and confine it to the north of the Queen's Drive. The bitumen tennis courts were at one time in a precarious position. Throngs of visitors watched the destruction of this picturesque bit of primitive vegetation. The flames went right down to' the water's edge and cleared up everything; save charred standing trees the place is a waste. A view of the scene gives some idea of the tremendous scenic attraction a road round the lake shore would open up, says the Rotorua Chronicle. At an early hour cars with bathers were rolling up and scores of people were swimming in the indented bays. If the fire draws attention to this region it will not have burned in vain.

SMOKE SOCIAL AT ROTORUA. [bit telegraph.—Wn correspondent. ] ROTORUA, Thursday. A smoke concert was tendered to the British bowlers by the Rotorua Club. Mr. F. W. Wilkie, president, was in the chair, ancl the Mayor, Mr. C. H. Clinkard, was among those present, and extended a welcome from the townspeople. The tcast of the visitors was responded to by Mf. jR. Husband, of Dunfermline, for Scotland; Mr. Ivo B. Thomas, for Wales; Mr. Baines, for Ireland; and Mr. T. S. Huxley, for England. Mr. Hurley remarked that he was astonished and delighted with the way the people of New Zealand associated themselves with the Maoris, who were a noble race and had proved it on many occasions. The beauties of the district had amazed them. No scenics or photographic views could adequately reproduce them. Mr. Husband said they had now visited 20 towns or districts. They might forget some of them, but never Rotorua.