GRASS FIRE PREVENTION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19165, 23 November 1927, Page 4

GRASS FIRE PREVENTION.

♦ PLOUGHING OF FIRE-BREAKS. A further meeting of landowners was held at Southbridge on Monday evening to discuss the question of providing protection from grass fires breaking out on the stretch of country in Ellesmere County running from the Main South line near fiankside down to Little Rakaia, adjacent to the Rakaia river. A committee was appointed to arrange for the ploughing of a break from the Rakaia river by Baxter's plantation, through Oakleigh Estate to Kendall's corner, and thence to Killinchy. Mr R. G. Bishop presided. Cr. A. Anderson outlined what hadl been done at a conference held between the Ellesmere County Council and the North Rakaia River Board. Hie Council considered that it could not assist, though it would raise no objection to the ploughing of certain roads. He had afterwards conferred with the River Board and suggested that it should find half the cost of making a (ire-break on the road running from the River Board's plantation to Kendall's corner if the landowners bore the other half. The River Board had agreed to do this. It had also decided to make breaks above its own plantations and burn off gorse in certain areas. It was estimated that it would not cost more than £3O to make a fire-break on the road from the river to Kendall's corner. Cr. Andterson moved that a committee should be set up to arrange for? the ploughing of a fire-break from the Rakaia river by Baxter's plantation, through the Oakleigh Estate to Killinchy. The motion was carried, and the following were elected to the committee: —Messrs W. H l . Abbott, J. Burt, G. E. Benny, R. G. Bishop, A. Anderson, S. W. Worner, and R. J. Glassey l It was considered that a sum of from 5s to 10s from each farmer would be sufficient to meet the landowners' share of the money required. It was agreed that the chairman should draw up a list of farmers within the fire area and arrange to collect from them the money needed. f