FARMERS' LOSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 8

FARMERS' LOSS

TAUPIRI SWAMP AREA STOCK, FENCES AND GRAZING FRONT OF SEVERAL MILES CONSTANT VIGILANCE NEEDED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Wednesday Although the peat, bush and grass fires which have been causing considerable damage in the Te Hoe district, in the Taupiri swamp area, are now considered to be under control, fires are still smouldering along a front of several miles and constant vigilance has to be exercised by settlors in checking incipient outbreaks. It is estimated by Mr., L. R. . Reid, chairman of the Taupiri Drainage and River Board, who has been the worst sufferer, that his loss, and the cost of restoring his property to its former condition, will be in excess of £4OOO. This figure includes the cost of resowing, erecting new fences, repairing drains, the value of a huge pile of fencing timber which was completely destroyed, re-erection of fences pulled down to escape the flames, and loss of grazing.

Several other settlers have lost considerable areas, and this will increase the figure, but Mr. Reid's loss is by far the greatest. It is now known that at least three bullocks, including one which was so badly burned that it had to be destroyed, perished through the fires, while many other animals are missing and, it is feared, lost. Years of Work Lost The fires have penetrated to a depth of from six inches to two feet into the earth and it is stated that years of work have been lost. By planting at the first opportunity, it is hoped to have some grazing over the area this 3'ear, but it will be at least another season before the land will approach its former caoacity. Although the peat fires are an annual phenomenon, farmers in many parts of the W aikato state they ha\ e never before been so extensive as at present. Whenever a breeze springs up the fire in the Rukuhia Swamp, a short distance to the south of Hamilton, shows renewed vigour and gives off clouds of smoke. Grass Fires in Borough Even within the Hamilton Borough boundary frequent grass fires have occurred recently. The Hamilton Fire Brigade was summoned to three outbreaks to-day. One in Chalemount Street assumed dangerous proportions, a whole gully being ablaze, and the flames threatened a number of bouses. It was only after considerable effort that the outbreak was extinguished. The second fire occurred in a vacant section in Ellis Street, Frankton, and houses were again menaced before the outbreak was brought under control. An added danger was the fact that a number of large petrol storage tanks are situated just across the road. A third outbreak occurred early this evening in the district to the west of Hamilton Lake. A large area of gorse caught alight and huge columns of black smoke were sent up. The fire was subdued, however, before any damage was done.