NORTHERN BUSH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 209, 5 April 1913, Page 5

NORTHERN BUSH FIRES.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE SUFFERERS. By Telegraph—Press Association. YYhangarei, Last Night. Hon 11. D. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived in YVhangarei this evening and received deputations to-night. The principal requests were for Government assistance in providing grass seed for those settlers who suffered so heavily from the recent grass fires, many toning unable to finance the sowing of grass seed. It would probably cost from £20,000. to £30,000 for the district. The appeal was made specially on behalf of those settlers who were unable to finance and in consequence would have to let their land lie idle. The Minister replied that the request was the most reasonable one that he had heard for many years, and that he would make representations to Mr. Massey. who would undoubtedly do the utmost he could, as many areas of Crown lands were affected, and also on account of the advisability of combating the growth of fern. It would also be necessfry to assist the dairving industry, which was the principal one of North Auckland. One speaker estimated that the three dairy factories operating in the district 'would distribute from £IO,OOO to £15.000 less than during the corresponding period of last year on account of the fires.