PLANTATION THREATENED BY FIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 56, 8 March 1946, Page 4

PLANTATION THREATENED BY FIRE

OHINGAITI SETTLER’S PROMPT ACTION The prompt action of Mr. J. P. C. Hammond and other Ohingaiti residents who suppressed a grass fire which threatened the Rangitikei County Council’s plantation at Ohingaiti’was commended by the council at its monthly meeting in Marton yesterday. During the peak of the dry weather last week a grass fire started near the plantation of gums and Oregon pines. Equipped only with a wet sack, a bucket and a watering can, Mr. Hammond kept the fire in check till two other residents, Messrs. Linton and Pritchard, arrived on the scene. Before the fire was subdued it had reached the boundary fence adjoining the plantation, which consists of valuable trees, all of which are flourishing. In a letter to the county, received at the meeting yesterday, Mr. Hammond stated that three grass fires were started by passing locomotives within a week. Heavy ram during the weekend had lessened the fire danger to such an extent that it appeared unlikely that further outbreaks would beenr this autumn. “I would suggest, however, that 1 three or four 44-gallon drums of water he placed handv to this plantation. Tn the event of another drv season thev mav be verv useful in saving this beautiful plantation from destruction by fire,” Mr. Hammond added. Mr. Hammond and his assistants were commended for their action, and Ihe council agreed to keep the request for fnn’ipinc H mind.