BUSH AND GRASS FIRES
FARMERS' HEAVY LOSSES. SOME NARROW ESCAPES. (From Odh Own Correspondent.) MARTON. January 20. During the epidemic of recent bush and grass fires considerable damage was done ■■> farming properties, but in no case was the damage so serious as in the Rangiwahia district. Reports received show that considerable devastation was caused to the farming community of the Main South road on Saturday morning, a heavy gale fanning the fire, which spread with lightning-like velocity, causing the people to floe in all directions for their lives. So great was the heat owing to the dry state of everything that many people had to leave their homes. The people of Apiti, seeing the large cloud of smoke, and knowing the calamitous predicament the Main South road was in, volunteered in full force to render assistance, and did excellent work. The farmers not only suffered the loss of grass, but also of buildings, fences, woolsheds, cowsheds, hay, wool, and sheep. Messrs Th -rnpson Bros, and 8. Stent had a very trying experi-
ence. Hemmed in by fire and smoke, and haying no chance of escape, they were on the verge of being burnt to death, when a lucky downpour of i-aiu gladdened their hearts and extinguished the fires. They then proceeded to the residence of Mr Stokes in an exhausted condition, their own homes being impossible to reach. Many willing hands are now busily engaged where urgent assistance is required. CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUGE MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, January 22.) Quotations for the majority of lines in the grain and produce market remain merely nominal owing to the absence of transactions in the new season’s grain and seeds. Merchants, as well as farmers, are well pleased at the decision that there will be a free market for wheat, as the control scheme was anything but a- profitable business for the trade. It is anticipated that as a result of the free market, there will be a marked increase in the area put into crop. Oats are firmer, and inquiries for quotations are being received from Auckland. Quotations between merchants range from 3s 2di to 3s 3d per bushel, f.0.b.. sacks in, for Gartons, and it is expected that offers for the new season’s crop will be in the vicinity of £3 10s per ton at country stations. Business in seeds is very dull, and it appears that lower rates will rule this year. From 3s 6d to 4s per bushel at country stations is offered for ryegrass, but growers generally will not trade at these rates. Potatoes are weaker, owing to the improvement in the crops due to the recent rains. The quotations is £5 10s per ton, f.0.b., sacks in. The following are the nominal prices paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: Milling Wheat.—According to Government prices: Tuscan, 7s fid f.0.b.; Hunters, 7s &d; Pearl, Bs.
Oats. — Gartons, not quotable. Oatsheaf Chaff.—Old, to £4; new, to £3 10s. Cocksfoot. —7d to Bdi. White Clover. —Nominal. Cnwrgass.—Nominal. Barley.—7s to Bs. Fioui. —A- cord ng to Government price®, £l6 iOs per ton, f.0.b., Lyttelton, Timaru, and Oarrsru. Bran.—According to Government price, £7 15s per ton f.0.b., main ports. Pollard.—According to Government price, £7 15s per ton, f.0.b., main ports. Local prices: Bran, £8 ss; pollard, £lO os. Oatmeal. —25’s, £25 ; 7’s, £2B.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 12
Word Count
559BUSH AND GRASS FIRES Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 12
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