FARMS SWEPT BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 8

FARMS SWEPT BY FIRE.

DAMAGE IN CANTERBURY.

FIGHT TO SAVE HOMESTEADS. HUNDREDS OF MEN ENGAGED. RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. Over 2000 acres of pasture and scrub, about a score of sheep, 600 acres of young pine trees, a few corn stacks and three small huts were destroyed by a lire which broke out at Rolleston Hall, about 14 miles from Ghristchurch, to-day and spread a distance of three miles toward Springston before it could be got under control by hundreds of fire-fighters who were called from all over the district. Only strenuous efforts and a fortunate lull in the high north-west wind which had fanned the flames saved the whole of the valuable cropping area toward Lincoln, Springston and Springston South.

Farmers in the district state that the fire was the worst since the disastrous outbreak 35 years ago. The flames raced across the parched paddocks and stock had to be rushed into ploughed paddocks for safety. The same expedient was resorted to by farmers owning motor-cars, but one farmer who made for an open road in his car had to abandon it and rush back to save his house from the flames. He lost his motor-car when the fire leaped across the road. The fire started suddenly at 11.30 a.m. near the South Road and spread with such rapidity that before it was noticed it had gained a great hold. Fire-fighters from all over the county and from Ghristchurch were summoned to assist in checking the flames. They concentrated their efforts on saving homesteads and although several were threatened, none was damaged. Twelve sheep were burned to death and about 20 more were so scorched that they will probably die. Had it not been for the army of men available to fight the fire, it would have reached richer and more closely-settled country, where the danger would have been grave.

ALARM FOR SETTLERS.

SCRUB ALIGHT AT GORDONTON

[BY TELEGRAFH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HAMILTON, Wednesday.

A fire broke out yesterday in some (all manuka on Mr. W. Moore's farm at Gordonton and caused neighbouring settlers some alarm. A fire-fighting party was organised and fire-breaks were made. The outbreak was confined to a small area and no damage was done. By this evening the fire had almost burned itself out,,