BUSH DESTROYED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19138, 6 October 1936, Page 2

BUSH DESTROYED

ROTORUA DISTRICT SCENIC RESERVE FIRE A considerable area of scenic reserve containing some of the best- native Inis i in 11h> district was destroyed late on Sunday afternoon, when a fire was discovered in the vicinity of the Blue Lake, about 20 miles from Rotorua. AAhen first- noticed, liie fire had a strong hold, and, backed by a fairly high southerly wind, it was sweeping fiercely through tlie dry undergrowth toward Lake Qkaveka. . The fire was discovered by a passer-by, who hastened to the nearest telephone, some miles away, and informed the conservator of State forests. Although scenic reserves are not under Ibe control of the State Forest Department, the conservator immediately made arrangements for a number of men to be sent to the five, which they reached shortly More nightfall. So rapidly had the (lames spread that, a large area of hush had been destroyed when the men arrived.. Under the direction of Mr. -f. Loekio, Lands Department officer in Rotorua, the men spent three strenuous hours beating out the flames, and by 9 O clock 1 lie possibility of tho fu*o spreading iniflier was averted, and the men were able to return io Rotorua. The cause of tho fire is unknown. A peculiar feature was that it appeared to have started at two different points some distance apart.