AREA NORTH OF TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 3 December 1954, Page 1

AREA NORTH OF TAUPO

Some time in the New Year, "when the wind is right and the Lord is with us," the land development branch of the Lands Department in Rotorua will be touching off near Taupo, a fire that will clear between 7000 and 8000 acres for new farms. An attempt to burn the scrub and pines failed last summer. But with the prolonged dry weather this spring, development officers are hopeful that by New Year the low growth and trees will be in a condition to "go." The, thousands of acres are covered today with seedling pine not suitable for exploitation. About 3000 acres on the eastern and southern boundaries of the area, where there is scrub but few trees, have been crushed, burned and grassed to provide a deep firebreak. Further to the east, grass protects the slopes of Tauhara mountain and the forest lands to the north-east. To the west, the development of the Oruanui block around Wairakei, together with the waters of the Waikato River, provide another barrier to the flames. And on the short northern front, a hre-break six chains deep has been burnt off. "We've got it all cased in," said one officer. ''No chances will be taken with this. If it gets going properly, it will be some blaze."