MILES OF FLAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 10

MILES OF FLAMES

FABII LANDS SWEPT BIG FIPE IN CANTERBURY LOSS OF LIVESTOCK SETTLERS" ANXIOUS NIGHT [BY TELEGRAPH OWN* CORRESPONDENT "1 TIMARU. Wednesday More than 2CO(J acres of scrub and grass country in the Maronan district, south of Ashburton, were swept by fire yesterday, but fortunately thousands of acres of wheat and oats escaped the menace of the blaze owing to the fact that a violent north-westerly wind came through the Rangijata Gorge and not via the Rakaia Gorge, as is customary. Commencing shortly before 2 p.m. on the property of Mr. D. Macmillan, on the "Timaru Track" road, the fire is thought to have originated from a spark from a tractor. The flames, fanned by the strong wind, spread rapidly over a wide frontage, burning grass, scrub, crops and stacks. Fences, plantations and several homesteads were saved only by the strenuous efforts of nearly 1000 farmers and others. Sheep Missing and Dead The greatest loss of stock was probably 011 tho estate of the late Mr. J. Farrell, where about 50 two-tooth ewes are missing and where the blackened carcases of 28 were found huddled in a heap. The loss was a comparatively small one, however, considering that the flock numbers 2000. The majority of the sheep were saved, as they were moved before the fire caught them. On Mr. Macmillan's farm several sheep were lost and about 20 were injured, while lesser losses were suffered by other farmers whose properties were in the track of the fire. In addition to the destruction of a large expanse of grazing area throughout the district Mr. S. H. Lill lost 70 acres of oats, which were in stook, and three miles of boundary fencing. At the farm of Mr. J. Bell six stacks of oat sheaves were destroyed, in spite of the fact that a fire break about half a chain wide had been previously ploughed round the paddock. Two plantations were swept, including an area of 40 acres of four-year-old trees, owned by Mr. A. J. Breakwell, of Tinwald. An exciting experience occurred on Mr. J. La wry's property, where the fire caught a horse and dray carrying a load of oat sheaves. Mr. Lawry hastily unharnessed the horse, which he managed to save, but the flames destroyed the dray and the harness. Mr. Lawry also lost the butt of a sheaf stack. Scene ol Desolation

To-day the whole area over which the fire had swept was a desolate and blackened countryside. After leaving the property of Mr. Macmillan the trail of the fire was through Mr. G. Mulligan's farm, and when the flames reached the estate of the late Mr. Farrell they fed hungrily on 1500 acres of scrub, leaping many feet into the air and causing a vast volume of smoke, which was visible many miles away. The fire crossed the road at a point where another road branches off toward Winslow and reached the Winslow School and Mr. T. Chapman's property before it was got under control. Mr. T. E. Tarbotton's homestead was saved by the ploughing of a firebreak. The fire was under control late last night, but men remained on watch until dawn. The pa relied nature of the pasture throughout the plainlands has been the cause of continual anxiety.

TEN STACKS DESTROYED DAMAGE IN MARLBOROUGH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] BLENHEIM. Wednesday A grass fire which started in a strong wind on Mr. Robert Forsyth's property at Riverlands yesterday destroyed 10 stacks containing 100 tons of oaten sheaves and 70 tons of hay. The flames swept 100 acres of grass land and stubble and burned a mile of fencing, several head of sheep and 150 bushels of threshed barley. The damage exceeds £SOO. There is no insurance.