PEAT FIRES ON PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5242, 22 February 1928, Page 2

PEAT FIRES ON PLAINS.

MAUKORO CANAL CROSSED.

FLAX BEING BURNED. Gaining a new lease of life oh Monday by jumping the WaitakaruruMaukoro canal, the fire in the peat area west of Ngatea has now entered Mr A. B. McDonald’s 600-aci'e block of flax, and it is probable that this, and the Torehape . flaxmiller’s 400-acre block adjoining w'll be destroyed. As before, when the railway canal Was crossed, a whirlwind carried sparks over a. 30ft canal and two stop-bank roads. Strenuous efforts are being made so stem the advance of the flames, all available labour being employed night and day. So far the wind ihas beefi favourable, and the fire only advanced five chains on Tuesday, so' it is just possible that given favourable, conditions, the inea may win. x Much rough feed on laud leased by Mr L. Rountree and Mr S. McClune was destroyed on Tuesday. x On Monday the fire advanced eastward for about a mile and a-'half, until stopped by the break made along the Pouarua Road by the Lands Drainage Department. This break has now been continued for 60 chains along the Pouarua Road, anti then.e for a mile westward to Centre Road, and all the encl'sed area has been burned. The Lands Department will continue making a break to the Maukoro canal. All drains in the locality have been blocked, and along the Torehape and Pouarua road frontages of his flax plantation Mr G. Smerla lias made firebreaks.