GRASS FIRE PROTECTION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 8

GRASS FIRE PROTECTION.

LITTLE RIVER DISTRICT. Members of the Ellesmere County Council and the North Rakaia Eiver Board of Conservators met this week to confer upon proposals relating to the taking of precautionary measures against the spread of grass fires during the summer months, when the countryside is covered with dry grass. The attitude adopted by the County Council was that, while it could not see its way to contribute towards any work undertaken, no obstacle would be placed in the way of a committee representing the River Board and the landowners making fire-breaks by ploughing such roads as might be considered suitable, or otherwise disposing of grass and gorse to check the spread of fires, provided such roads were left in a safe condition for traffic. The Council could not accept liability for any damage that might result from ploughing or burning. Subseauently, the Eiver Board held a meeting to consider the position. It was decided that the gorse and other growths on the road from the Kennel corner towards the river should be burnt off along the frontage of the Board's reserves, that gorse along the groyne in the reserve held by Mr G. E. Benny should be burnt, and that the Board should pay half the cost of making a fire-break on the road from the riverbed along the plantation reserve held by Mr Gilbert, across the Rakaia road, and through Oakleigh to Kendall's corner, on the Oakleigh-Rakaia road. The members were of the opinion that the Board should not be called upon to contribute towards the cost of making a fire-break from Kendall's corner to Burt's, at Killinchy, but that it should undertake, or assist with, any proposal which the ratepayers thought reasonable. Fire-breaks will be made above the Board's plantations, and as far as possible any' gorse considered to be dangerous will be destroyed by fire. It was further decided that notices warning trespassers that during the period from December to May they would be prosecuted, should be erected at various points. A further meeting of property-owners within the fire area 'has been called, when the question of setting up a committee will be considered, and the River Board's -proposals discussed. It is understood that a number of threshing millowners have decided to fall in with the recommendation made at the last public meeting, that they should carry spray pumps of the bucket type with their plants during the threshing season.