RESULT OF A BUSH FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 149, 3 October 1910, Page 5

RESULT OF A BUSH FIRE

HEAVY DAMAGES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Saturday. In .the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr. Cubtem, SjMl, jgjave judgment in the case J. M. and B. Metcalfe v. John Balbe. The case was heard at Paparoa w qpuFjbruary 25 and argued in Auckland on Sugu"s*t 111, The plaintiffs and the defendant are the owners of adjoining land, and the action was for damages which the plaintiffs alleged they sustained as the result of a Are which defendant lit upon his land spreading on to plaintiffs' land and burning grass, hush and fences. Defendant did not deny that he lit the ftre on his land, but denied that it had spread to plaintiffs' land. He brought evidence also with the object of showing that there was a fire on plaintiffs' land previous to his fire being lighted, and he therefore contended that eiven if his fire did spread to plaintiffs' land he was not responsible for the whole damage. The Magistrate Md, however, that the evidence was that the fire spread from defendant's land was convincing, and he stated that he did not believe the evidence to the contrary given on behalf of the defendant. He was satisfied', therefore., that defendant was responsible for the whole damage suffered by the plaintiffs for the amount claimed, £2OO, with costs.