Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1887. Bush Fire Raising.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2054, 13 April 1887, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1887. Bush Fire Raising.

On every band we hear complaints from settlers who have had their lands overrun and their fences destroyed by fires started on adjacent properties. There is no doubt that in some cases fires have been started utterly regard loss of consequences. So Jong as tie wind blew in any direction away from the dwelling of the fire-raiser it w»s considered enough, and stumps and grass have been lighted, the spans from which have done much damage over miles of country around. Tie surrounding settlers have had to leave their ordinary occupation and work desperately in gangs to quench the devouring flames, sometimes with no success, and then, miles of pastire with dividing fences have been burnt up, valuable standing and fallen timber destroyed, and houses and outbuildings endangered. To some of the settlers this visitation of fire has been a serw oua loss, and this loss has, in a great many cases, been inflicted by thoughtless neighbours. In order that such persons should know their liability for causing destruction to their neighbors’ properties we quote for their edification the following extract from The Poncing Act, 1881, sections 28, 29—“ In case any dividing fence is destroyed by fire, or by the falling of any tree or trees, the occupier through whose neglect (if any) such fire shall have originated, or have caused injury to the fence, or such tree or trees shall have fallen, or by whose stock such fence shall have been damaged, shall be the party bound to repair the entire of the fence so damaged, as aforesaid. Nothing herein shall be deemed to take away or interfere with the right of any person to sue for and recover compensation for, or in respect of, any damage or injury to any fence occasioned by the reckless or negligent use of fire.” We quote these words because we think the Wairarapa farmers should \ take some such steps at once to place their butter in the London market. What is everybody’s business, how. ever, is nobody’s business, and farmers, while bewailing 'ln: pres< n - state of Lad-,' and Inc bad i)i; ,L al; I' l - winder, do . td: t. k: .-.tv on, ( buhl uu. lings or iiti'icci's : ; ■do sc.mot hou.i'-s id certain districts to talk over matters Tt;k would lead to a committee t-eb-g lb -mod to male enquiries and to arrange for other meeliues. The ronrn would cost nothing, and wo will willingly advertise such meetings gratis. If our farmed x will bestir themselves a change for the better will soon be brought about.