DANGERS OF GRASS FIRES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 38, 8 November 1937, Page 4

DANGERS OF GRASS FIRES

Picnickers Should Exercise Care - FARMERS TO ACT ' - ' " * / Witb tbe approach of the dry summer months anxiety is bmng Mt by the farming community as regards tbe danger of grass fires. Consideration of this matter was given at the nmeting of tbe Hawke's Bay provineial district of tb© New Zealand Farmers Union in Hastings on Saturday when the Waimarama brancb proposed that public attention be drawn to the danger, "There is a distinct danger of picnic parties going into the country and inadvertently causing grass firos," ^aid tbe chairman, Mr, R., K, Campbell, "Sometbing will have to be done about drawing public attention fcn the grave danger involved, not only to stock and property, but te life and limb, In a montli's time tbe country will be all burat up andi it is then that tbe greatest danger presents itself." Mr. W. J. McKeesick said tbat, m bis particular district, tbe worst areas were at Te Awanga and Clifton and grass fires bad broken out in both ot these locaiities. "There bave been big fires at Clifton and tbere can be no doubting tbat tbey emanated from picnic parties," be said. T'bough agreeing that tbere was considerable danger from picnic parties, Mr. It. E. Talbot said tbat they were not the only sources of danger, "It behoves e very body to be very careful indeed wben lightiug fires during tbe bot summer weather," he said, and went on to relate the facts' concerning a fire tbat ragedi at Mangatabi on one occasion which was started by ecrubcutters, Mr, A. W, Butt agreed that*it was not aiways tbe picnickers, but considered tbat tbey were one of tbe principai sources oi danger. He knew of a big fire tbat wap started through • lorryrdriver throwing away a lighted cigarette, tbe grass on tbe roadeide catching afire and tbe flames spreading to private property, Tbe chairman said tbai, on one occasion, be was out sbooting and tbe party noticed a baze, so set off in tbat direction and, tbougb tbere were 2j3 men in the party, tbey bad a terrifio tussle to put out a grass fire tbat bad dbviously been started as the result of a picnic near the Waimarama bridge. The executive decided that appropriate steps 1 be taken to draw public attention to tbe dangers involved from grasg fires.