GRASS FIRE AT TAHUNANUI.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 6 (Supplement)

GRASS FIRE AT TAHUNANUI.

THE TOWNSHIP IN DANGER

(From "The Colonist," Feb. 2.)

Very considerable excitement and consternation was experienced by residents and others at Tahunanui yesterday morning. At about 7.30 it was noticed that tlie marram grass on tho

sand hills was burning fiercely, and efforts were at once made to fight the fire. Messrs Bradley, Webley, and Sharp were first on the seeno, and before long snmo score of men were hard at work fighting tlie flames. At one time it looked as if the housss belonging to Messrs Fell, Kidson, and Rout were in jeopardy, and it was then decided to fire the grass alongside the bicycle track, and the workers stood armed up on the track and prevented the names- crossing to Tahuranui township. It was nearly ten o'clock lie-fore the fire was thoroughly mastered. Several of the pine and niacrocarpa trees got badly scorched, and it is feared some of them may die.

It is tiniiis the City Council had regulations in regard to the lighting of fires on the reserve. Every summer there is trouble, but the fires have previously been beaten out before much damage has resulted.

The Sands Reserve now over several acres presents a black and bare appearance, and it is feared that it may be some time before vegetation again, grows freely over it.