FORESTRY FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 1 April 1926, Page 7

FORESTRY FIRES.

STRICTER CONTROL DESIRED. By Cable—Press Asconiation—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received March 31, 7.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 31. A conference of Interstate forestry experts, discussing tlio recent destructive fires and the best means of avoiding them in future, favoured the education of the people as to the value of forests, the • tightening up of forestry legislation, the establishment of a. forest guard and patrol, and better firebreak provisions. The Victoria delegate declared that he wa.s convinced that fully 75 per cent, of the fires in the country were caused wilfully by graziers in need of grass, burning off to cause a now growth. PROSECUTIONS TO FOLLOW. ALLEGATIONS OP NEGLIGENCE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Deceived March 31, 11.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 31. As the result of polico investigations into the recent disastrous bush fires, prosecutions have been launched .against settlers for negligence. The returned soldier settlers in the closer settlement areas are considered to be Lho chief causo of the fires, but it is known tlint a great deni of burning was done to promote the growth cf grass.

The State Cabinet has earmarked £IO,OOO for grass seed in the fire areas. The money is to be lent to the settlers on very easy terms.