KAURI PARK

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 5

KAURI PARK

FIRE BREAKS OUT. CONSIDERABLE damage DONE, (By Tclcyroph—Per Press Association) DA HO AVI LI. 10, February 23. On Sunday morning about 6.30 it was discovered that a. lire had broken out on the north eastern boundary of the famous Trounsoii Kauri Park. R. M, Donaldson, ranger, lounu the fire had been, in his opinion, deliberately started at four points oil a front of about three-quarters of a mile. No

time was lost in getting assistance and settlers were soon at work with slashers and spades making fire tweaks. At noon the danger appeared to be over but during the afternoon the wind veered round to the north and fanned up the Hames which whipped over the breaks and again assumed serious proportions.

Men had been increased in numbers and they redoubled their efforts with the change of wind, and with a fortunate fall of rain in the early hours oi the morning, the fire was held in check and although it is still smoking in parts, the danger of it reaching the most valuable portion of the forest is now passed. A patrol of men will be kept on to watch the small fire area. About seventy acres of the forest, including some valuable trees, containing about liO thousand superficial feet, were destroyed. Interviewed, the ranger said the damage was not so extensive as at first thought. Considering the dryness of the season and the large quantity of undergrowth they wore fortunate in getting it out so soon. If the fire got into the tops of the Kauri trees, the whole forest would probably have been destroyed.

1 romison Kauri Park contains about 1200 acres, seven hundred of which is all kauri. Portion of the nark was given by the late James Trouson as a gift to the nation and the rest was acquired by Government and reserved lor all time. It was formally handed over to the Government in November 1022 The forest is the only one of jfv kind in the world and this season has been bisected by four thousand visitors.