FIGHTING BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 325, 28 January 1902, Page 1

FIGHTING BUSH FIRES.

The damage done annually by grass and busli fires during the summer months in Australia has at length luted upon settlers the necess *:y Gr taking some steps to safeguard their properties from the devastating in fluence. In several districts bus i fire brigades have been formed, and arrangements made with the postal authorities to forward warning telegrams of outbreaks of fire within a certain radius. In a late issue of Uie Australasian the formation of the->e brigades is described, and that at Berrigan, in South Riverina, may be instanced as a typical organisation it is said that Berrigan was the first town to organise and equip a brigade, sinl some splendid work was dure hist summer, and also this year. Jt is purely a volunteer organisation, one resident providing horses and a drag capable of seating sixteen men, another a water cart and hose, another a trap to carry refreshmc.i ;s and drinking water, in fact everything that is necessary to fight bush -ires successfully- The brigade itself contisU oi young—men employed in the town iir

various capacities, and their empLyers cheerfully allow them to respond to any call that may he made on their services. The postal autuor'ties also assist by forwarding, free of charge, telegrams giving notice of cutbreaks of fires, and the radius of operations is 12 miles from the town. Each fireman is provided with a heater, consisting of a piece of leather or green hide 12in by 18 in., siit ii'lo three parts for about two-thirds of its length, and fastened to a woolen handle about 54ft in length. The slit parts of the hide or leather are in some instances protected by pie-us of light hoop-iron, and beaters made in j this way are most serviced ole, being light and very durable. When a lire breaks out on a farm or station, the delay occasioned by having to muster assistance from a scattered and sparse population is generally so great tl at the lire gets a good hold Delore anything can he done to check it. With a •well-equipped brigade available, e'ery man of whom knows his work, ami a water cart provided with a forcepump and a hose, it is wonderful h w quickly a grass fire can he subdued. The water cart is a valuable accessory M , i,y following after the beaters, it ensures safety against outbreaks occurring after the men have put out the main line of fire. Burning iogs, trees, stumps, etc., are quenched, the necessity for sweeping up f-nd long r.ight watches are thus obviated. S- me Urge landed proprietors m tne western district of Victoria have, organism their employees for the pupase of dealing with hush fires, bin this hardly possible on farms where tie homesteads are a considerthe di:ti

ance apart. In towns men oan ne so easily called together, the ringhg of a bell being sufficient for the uur,os» ,hat time, the all-important consieration in connection with a fire, tan be saved. At Maffra, in Victoria, a iso prevention association has bc-n innni. ed by Mr M. Drummond, with the ob j iect that in certain districts named the landowners and reside*.w combine together and assist one another to prevent as far as povvlne; bush fires from spreading, i. captain; and two vice-captains are appointed to direct operations at fires, and also to see that the men under their charge receive proper food And nouriS'tn'.eru. .Scouts are appointed to locate a hre as speedily as possible, ihe assc.ejar tion takes steps to assist tue police in prosecution of all persons i-relesMy using fire. All persons are supplied with fire-hearers in case of a fie. V.e fee for membership is only -is nd ~.r annum. These movements are 'ncemig with approval, and should preA.nt; c -n siderable losses during the dry moJ.h a of summer.