Work at the Racecourse.

Manawatu Herald, 9 January 1897, Page 3

Work at the Racecourse.

% ■ * With the commendable object of improving the appearance of their property The Secretary and Stewards of the Fbxton Racing Club went out yesterday to barn the long grass and rubbish growing within the inside of the course. Their programme was enlarged owing to a misdirected effort of an assistant. The grass on the lawn had been mowed round the fences and the assistant thought farther labour could be saved by a match. In this, however, he wat much mistaken, as before many minutes the fire was running everywhere, and only by most energetio measures, moat unsuitable to the heat of the day, were the buildings and fences saved. In preserving these time was lost in checking the fire getting to the front plantation, and at one time it looked as though the whole would have been burnt. Very hard work succeeded in keeping the fire from the course slope of the hill, bat at the back many young trees were destroyed. Though this is to be regretted their loss will not affect the appearance of the property from the course. When this work had been done, a lesson had been learnt that fire must be carefully handled, so before burning the inside of the course precautions were taken to burn a strip all around it first. Afterwards one half of the course was well burnt, and the other half was to have been ta-day. All we want now is a good shower of rain, when the properly will have the appearance of i'a well-mown lawn.