The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 27, 1883. BUSH FIRES.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 64, 27 January 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 27, 1883. BUSH FIRES.

+. We are made aware by information received from all sides, that many of the fires which have been so destructive to the forest timber in the Manawatu this summer, have been started at an illegal time by those persons who fired their own properties with a view to cleaning, as the legal season does not commence until March. We are alt-o aware that the jrreat majority of fires have been started by malicious or thoughtless persons. Many persons believe that when their bush is felled, and has lain on the ground a sufficiently long time to be wfll dried, that the only thing necessary lor them is to merely warn their neighbors of their intention to burn, and then put a fire brand among the scrub. They foolishly think that the act of " warning" will exonerate them from all responsibility for any damages that may be done. Such is not the case, for even if the fire is started during the seasoa authorised by law, the fire raiser is still liable for all evil consequences resulting from the act, although the fact of his having given his neighbors notice would help to mitigate costs and damages. Those persons who have commenced to " burn" during the last two months may therefore expect to have some formidable communication from the legal fraternity, bearing on this subject. There are persons who, not having been blessed with property of their own, find a wretched pleasure in destroying that of others more fortunate in the world's possessions. For these it is not only difficult to bring their guilt hjrne to them, but even alter having done so, any punishment inflicted would probably have the contrary to a deterrent effect. A certain number of Sres may be attributed to accidents, buo this number is very limited. Where men are so nniversally careless in throwing down lighted matches, us all bushmen are, fires are certain to ensue with more or less evil consequences. We hope that the legal proceedings which are now threatening in several cases will b>' settled without too much expense to the parties. Law under any circumstances is an expensive luxury, and is not to be indulged in recklessly by persons who are not in wealthy circumstances.