UNUSUALLY DRY SPELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21993, 27 December 1934, Page 10

UNUSUALLY DRY SPELL

GRASS FIRE MENACE EXPERIENCE IN MANAWATU PASTURES IN NEED OF RAIN [bx tki-kc.raph OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Wednesday As a result of the present unusually hot, dry spell, grass on the roadsides is presenting a source of danger to householders and others through fire. In Church Street, Feilding, this week, the railway reserve on the western side of the lino was found burning in three places. The loud tolling of the fire bell signified an appeal to residents of the town to cut off their water supplies to aid the fire brigade. The flames were controlled, but later another outbreak occurred in Lethbridgc Street. This outbreak presented a danger to power poles, but was extinguished before any damage was done. Further small fires occurred along Aorangi Street. All these outbreaks were adjacent to the railway line. A darge area adjacent to the Kakariki Bridge also was swept by fire and considerable damage was done to fences.

Advancing half a mile from a point 011 the railway road between Palmerston North and Bunnythorpe, a grass firo about 4.30 p.m. 011 Christmas Eve seriously threatened the home of Mr. J. W. Clevely, near Bunnythorpe. The flames sot firo to the tinder-dry pine plantation about the homestead, and only strenuous work by neighbours saved the houso. The plantation suffered severely, and a motor shed was destroyed, wllile other buildings also were severely damaged or destroyed. A largo stack of firewood next to the houso caught fire, making the task of the men fighting the flames far more hazardous. A motor-car and farm implements were removed from the sheds and were not damaged. „ The length of the dry spell is unprecedented, and only once in the pastseven weeks has there been a fairly heavy downpour. There was rain for a short period this evening, but continuous rain for 24 hours is required to revive the parched pastures. For several weeks the temperatures have reached 80 degrees or more, which is most unusual for Manawatu at this period of tho year.