FIRES NEAR RAILWAYS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXV, Issue 3292, 9 April 1935, Page 3

FIRES NEAR RAILWAYS

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL Who is responsible for grass fires that occur near railways ? One Waikato borough council, which had 20 lawsoniana trees burned in one of its reserves, which is near the railway line, contends that the Railway Department should accept responsibility, while the department contends that it takes all possible precautions and is not liable for fire damage. Department’s Reply “ All engines are fitted with spark-arresting appliances,” stated a letter received by the Borough Council from the District Engineer, Auckland. “ The department has been replacing older types of arresters with ‘ Waikato ’ sparkarresters, which are the latest and most efficient type so far tried out. This minimises, as far as is practicable, danger from the sparks from engines. “ Growth on railway land favourable to starting or spreading of fires is burnt off by line gangs when the winds are favourable, so that such fires can be, and are, kept under control. Any fires noticed on or' alongside the railway are attended to by line gangs. “ On the date of the fire the engine of the train which, I understand, was alleged to have caused the fire was fitted with a ‘ Waikato ’ spark-arrester, which was in good order at the time. “ The Domain property is over two chains away from the railway line and there was absolutely no sign of fire on the land out to the railway boundary.” “It does not say much for the spark-arresters,” commented the Mayor with a smile when the letter was read to the council.