FOREST FIRE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 24 October 1927, Page 8

FOREST FIRE.

HOTEL BURNED DOWN. BIG FIRE AT HANMER. Through the sparks wbich flew from the blazing Jo"" 6 * Hotel at Hanmer ** 6 *f'™ Saturday, 70 acres of Statforest, some of it 20 years old, was ruined. For three days a nor -weste had raged across the district and fire-fighters were faced ft strenuous and difficult tasK. A verv old landmark at Hanmer, the hotel, was totally destroyed. The fire, when discovered by Miss Josephine Stockton, had too great a hold to enable anything to be saved. At the time there were eight boarders in the hotel, and all escaped safely. Between 30 and 40 visitors had booked for the week-end. A portion of the building was GO years old, and the whole structure went up in flames, like matcnwood. It is believed that the fcrc commenced in the kitchen. The building and contents were insured with tne Guardian Assurance Co., Ltd., tor £3160, but Mr J. Smith, the licensee, is a heavy loser. \

Many Miles Threatened. The sparks from the burning building were blown about half a mile away to the forest, setting fire to a large area of pines. The residents, who had gathered to do what they could for Mr Smith, were then faced with fresh trouble, as many miles of State forest were threatened. Over 100 men, using earth, shovels, and chemicals, fought the fire, endeavouring to stop its rush by back-burning. They worked until 11 a.m., when they gained the uppvr hand. By midday the fire was almost extinguished, but a number of men stood by to guard against a further outbreak. Blocks 3, 4, and 7 were ruined by the flames. Had it not been for the fact that heavy rain showers fell between 7 and 8 o'clock, the amount of damage would have been much greater. The plantation began to burn in the neighbourhood of the old prison, which is about half a mile from the location ot the hotel. The whole of the forestry staff, tgether with helpers, musterod to fight the flames. At various plates there are fire stations in the plantations, equipped with small engines and flame-beaters, and these were pressed into service at the earliest possible moment. Help, called by telephone, came from the Balmoral station, about 50 miles away, the journey to Hanmer being made in quick ,timfc. The officer in charge of the forestry staff, Mr W. Montgomery, was faced with additional difficulty when the telephone system between the fire stations was found to have been rendered ineffective through the high wind. Jollie's Pass Hotel was situated about two miles from Hanmer Springs. It was established in 1862 by the old Provincial Council for the benefit of travellers between. Christchurch and Nelson. For the first few years it was carried on by the Government and later was leased. The building, which was of wood, and of two storeys, was situated among trees at the foot of the Pass and the mountains.

Planting operations at Hanmer Springs were first commenced by prisoners in 1898. Up to 1921, 2000 acres had been planted in trees. Since 1921 over 5000 acres have been planted by the -State Forest Service, the total area, now in trees being 7121 acres. Corsican pinus and Ponderosa pinus are the chief varieties.

A Violent «ale. The' gale of Thursday, Friday and Saturday was the most violent that Hanmer has experienced for a good many years. The velocity of the wind was so high that at times it was thought a far greater area of plantation would be destroyed. Directly the alarm was given, motor-cars were pressed into service to convey all the men of the township to the s"cene of the fire, and the hospital staff, quickly mustered, used three service cars to rush up the hill. Men came from all parts of the district. The operation of hack-burning is carried out by deliberately starting, a fire in a small area immediately in front of the flames. This was found to be effective. Yesterday rain commenced to fall again heavily in Hanmer, followed in the afternoon by a fall of snow of 1J inches. This quenched any remaining sparks. A much heavier fall in the back country was reported last night.