FIRES IN WAIKATO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22018, 26 January 1935, Page 12

FIRES IN WAIKATO

SHOWERS CHECK SPREAD

RECRUDESCENCE EXPECTED FURTHER RAIN NECESSARY SETTLERS MAINTAIN VIGIL [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Friday The heavy rain showers which fell throughout, the Waikato for an hour or more fast night checked the spread of the peat fires for the timo being. High winds blew from the south-west again to-day, however, and a recrudescence of outbreaks is expected in a day or two unless further rain falls.

Fires burning on the surface of pasture land were put out, but where they had penetrated deeply into the peat considerable clouds of smoke were emitted to-day. A survey of the affected country showed that it had received a fairly severe drenching. Although wide areas were smouldering, no flames were visible anywhere. Farmhouse Menaced

Settlers are still watching the .fires and, armed with shovels, are ready to remove any fresh sods of peat or tussock which catch alight. The fire which swept on to Mr. J. Nicholson's farm at Eureka the other day approached perilously closo to the farmhouse last night. Mr. Nicholson and a party of men spent a strenuous time in keeping the burning peat surrounding the house in check. A trench was dug round the dwelling and was filled with sand. This precaution, and the falling of rain at a late hour, staved off the immediate danger. Fanned by strong winds the fires made a rapid advance yesterday m the Puketaha district and menaced the property farmed by the Williamson Brothers. Five or six acres of pasture and about 200 trees were quickly destroyed. Settlers With Water Buckets Settlers from Gordonton, Puketaha and Horsham Downs assisted to subdue the flames, often carrying buckets ot water over half-a-mile. A deep trench was dug around the affected area and flooded with water, this barrier proving an effective check. The position in the Raglan area was much easier to-day. A bush fire raged on the property of Mr. G. Jackson, iun., at tho foot of the Karioi Mountain last night. About 20 acres of bush land was enveloped in the flames which were approaching tho homo- • Pain fell heavily when the building was in imminent danger and an abatement of the fire was caused. The ram continued in the Raglan district for several hours during the night, and there were intermittent showers today. The fires have been confined to smouldering heaps of fallen timber. The Gordonton District Inquiries made at Gordonton this afternoon show that the rainfall in that locality last night was very light and, although the swamp fires were checked to some extent, they broke out afresh this afternoon, when a strong wind sprang up. They are largely confined to the centre of the Woodlands swamp, and no further damage to improved land has been reported.