MARLBOROUGH BUSH FIRES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 11 March 1908, Page 5

MARLBOROUGH BUSH FIRES.

. ■» — THE QUESTION OF REHABILI r.4iTING CROWN LANDS. (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, March 10. The question of rehabilitating the Crown lands denuded by bush fires caused much discussion at the meeting of the Marlborough Land Board to--day. An offer from a settler to 'sow grass on part of the State forest cut out, and on which there had '"been a good burn, on condition that he be granted a-grazing'right until the whol block was cut out, was declined, and members of the Board urged that the Crown Lands denuded by fire had to be sown so as to prevent them being ruined or reduced in value by terns and noxious growth, hut tho Commissioner demurred to the Department undertaking the work, as he, feared that the demand for seed would raise the price on settlers. It was pointed out, however, that a rise of a halfpenny or a penny per pound in price was a small matter compared with the amount saved to the State by keeping the land in good condition. It was suggested that strong representations be made to the Minister on the subject, and it was resolved that the Minister be recommended to Authorise the sowing of land cut out in the forest and all other burnt Cmvn lands as soon as possible, and open them for settlement. It was also resoiv ed that in all cases where savvmilling timber has been cut out of State forests the land, be opened for settlement as speedily as possible, and it was estimated that two thousand bushels of grass seed would be required to sow the ■Crown lands burnt in Marlborough.