PASTURES BURNT OUT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 2

PASTURES BURNT OUT

Fires in Waikato District SEVERAL CATTLE PERISH By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, January 14. As the result of swamp fires whicti have been raging inythe Te Hoe district over the past fortnight more than. 5000 acres of land, including 2000 acres of grass, have been transformed into a charred waste. For days farmers had to fight the fire, which threatened adjoining properties, and miles of fencing have been destroyed. Several head of cattle have been lost. It was not until the week-end that information of the extent of the fire became known. The largest fire is raging on Mr. L. R. W. Reid’s property. The blaze started some weeks ago on a. Government block of scrub and swamp, and spread rapidly to Mr. Reid’s property. In a heavy atmosphere of dense black smoke, which obscured the vision, beyond a few yards, the cattle were mustered. They were mad with fear and several broke back and perished in the flames, which consumed everything in their path. Three miles of fencing were destroyed, while on an adjoining property men worked feverishly to bury in the drains a further; six miles of fencing. At the present time the flames are being held in check over a front of a mile and a half. The outbreak, though not spectacular, is most damaging, not only wiping off pasture but breaking up pasture to a depth of nearly a foot. The land will be useless for two seasons.