BURNING OFF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27388, 13 May 1950, Page 4

BURNING OFF

Soil Conservation Practice

A circular letter on burning, to be forwarded to all runholders and land occupiers, has been drawn up and approved by the Waitaki Soil Conservation Committee. This was done at a recent meeting of the committee held at Kurow, at which there were present—Messrs G. G. Calder (chairman), W. J. Whalan, J. Scott and W. L. McKtnzie. The committee's decision is that no burning should take place without the written authority of the committee, and that it should be carried out only during the months of August, September and October, depending on locality, while the land is in a moist or damp condition. Land occupiers who found it was necessary to burn could obtain authority by makine written application to the chairman, Box 110, Kurow. The committee pointed out that early application was desirable, and authority would be granted if the committee was satisfied that the circumstances warranted it. The following conditions were imposed:—Land occupiers must advise their neighbours of the date and place they intend to burn before any fires are lit; all precautions must be taker) to ensure that fires do not get out of hand, but remain confined to the area for which authority to burn has been granted; land occupiers are entirely responsible for fires Jit on their properties. To assist with fire control, depots containing limited amounts of fire-fighting equipment have been established at Kurow. Omarama, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Tekapo. In the event of firefighting operations being necessary, this equipment may be obtained by applying to any member of Tie committee otto the -soil conservator. Kurow. who will arrange . for the attendance of additional man-power if required. The first application for a subsidy for internal fencing for conservation purposes was received, and was recommended by the committee. The chairman reported that a number of paddocks offered by farmers for demonstrating soil conservation practices had been inspected, and the work would be carried out as soon as possible by the demonstration unit. Contour furrows, contour ploughing, graded banks, and broad-based terraces would be laid out in the paddocks. The unit would work through Otago and Southland. Arrangements' were made for screenings to be given by the Soil Conservation Committee’s mobile unit at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, Omarama and Kurow on May • 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively.