PLAINS AFIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 49, 28 January 1932, Page 10

PLAINS AFIRE

DANGER TO HOMES. SETTLERS FIGHT WITH FLAMES. AUCKLAND, Jan. 27. Peat and timber fires have bcen raging at Kaihere, on the Hauraki Plains, since the week-end. have been endangered , .and[some o the farmers have removed their lurni ture to safety. They have been fighting the flames day and and it was stated to-day that - ers are at great disadvantage through lack of water. . , . , » . -“Many of the drains are dried up, said Mr T. G. Tizard, a settler, of Kaihere, who was interviewed. by telephone. “The fires sweep along the dry. banks of the drains and travel for miles. In the high wind the smoke is suffocating and the heat has been terrific. In some places it has been impossible to see a yard ahead. The fires at first became threatening on Sunday, and on Monday they seemed to break out suddenly in many places. Fanned by the strong westerly wind, great tongues of flam© advanced toward houses and Buildings. At one stage a wall of fir© appeared to race across some ferncovered land which had not been brought into cultivation, and fallen, tree trunks wore soon ablaze, imrty men began a desperate attempt to protect the farms, cutting trenches m the peat to cut off the fire where it was advancing underground, or throwing water with buckets where there was any to be found in the drains. -Many suffered from fatigue and some from exhaustion. ‘ ~ • . , . With the changeable wind flames were continually breaking out in new directions, and heavy smoke covered the district for miles. On Tuesday the fires abated somewhat, and last night they were dulled by a.light rain which fell intermittently for two hours. If the wind does not increase it is thought the houses in the fire area will soon be out of danger. Two of them narrowly, escaped destruction, and flames also came dangerously near a number of sheds, but left them undamaged. • Six farms have been swept' on the northern side of the main road at Kaihere, and properties to the south are not without danger. Everything depends on whether the fire is .prevented from crossing the road. To-day the wind was in the right quarter to assist the farmers. Should the flames cross tho road there is nothing ■ to prevent them sweeping over numerous farms and also a block of 'Government land.

Last night Mr Tizard removed his furniture to Thames, 18 miles away. He said the firep were the worst he had known in the__ district for more than fifteen years. Timber and fat were always liable to burn at is time of the year, and unless there was a good fall of rain it would be difficult to stamp out the fire completely. FIRES IN WAIRARAPA.’ , , < .. MASTERTON, Jan. 27. Several buildings were destroyed and a valuable plantation badly damaged bv a grass fire on Mr W. J. Martin r s property at Hungaroa, Martinborough, yesterday. The woolshed and building near the river were threatened, but a band of helpers siived them after a two-hour fight. At about the same time the brigade was called upon to suppress an outbreak in a wood stack at the rear of the premises in the business area of the town. Prompt action prevented the flames spreading to the surrounding buildings.