OUR LITTLE FIRES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 January 1915, Page 3

OUR LITTLE FIRES

MIGHT HiLyE-GROyS(]%INTO; BIGX)HES ;\ „;■'- ', - * The Railway authorities have been busy during the week burning off heavy growths of grass, etc., along the Helensville South track and back of shops along the ECHO Terrace, Commercial Road. But not before sparks from the engine threatened a big blaze, Our office- and the neighbours were in jeopardy at one time, but a bucket brigade did the necessary dousing.. At the same time we cannot help but mention the fact that there are heaps of dry, fallen pines and ti-tree scrub at the rear of the premises in question, which are liable th catch fire at any time and so endanger private property, Plumber McLeod (in town on New Year holidays), might have experienced serious loss from fire on Saturday, only 'for the timely services rendered by the Halensville Fire Brigade, who, with their Captain (Robinson), fortunately reside close at hand. The company well,, watered the chickens, fowl-houses, and other appurtances thereto, and the fire was soon all over. What, another spark from the engine ? Yet another fire which might have caused serious damage and inconvenience, occurred on New Year's Day to the Swing Bridge, over which there was much traffic owing to the Bowling Tournament going on at the Springs and 1 the many visitors to the baths. A party going over, comprising Mr A. Becroft and others, just in the forenoon, noticed the old structure near the centre fairly blazing, but with the aid" of a few buckets of water this was soon quenched. It is surmised that a small quantity of benzine may have escaped from, some one or other of the various motor cars, and the next passer-by carelessly threw a lighted match or cigarette upon the same spot, thus causing the incipient fire. Another few minutes and there certainly would have been a large gap in the bridge, causing no end of trouble and inconvenience, .to +jrav/f'i^r° ' uil either <^v> while 'the works going on in connection with the new bridge would have been considerably jeopardised, if | not totally destroyed.