HAUKI BUSH.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 274, 23 November 1894, Page 6

HAUKI BUSH.

. Some of the Austrians digging in this district appear to bo in sore need of instruction relative to setting fires in proximity to the bushes. A couple of weeks ago some of these people were burning off the fern around the edge of the Lush in a very reckless manner with the wind bearing straight onto the bush ; and some mischief might have been done by it had it not been for some natives who saw them and who at once went and stopped them, pointing out to them the

■ anger of such work in hot weather and also took the trouble to explain the law on this matter to the parties concerned who appeared to be in ignorance of it, although their common sense should have shown them the danger without having to be told cf it. The weather was very fine through October and the first fortnight of this month, but the rain has returned, and just in time to reflood the bush swamps which were almost dry enough to dig in, but a couple of weeks fine weather will render them workable again. It is still very difficult to obtain cash for gum here and diggers are considering tin- advisability of shipping their gum to Auckland themselves; 'this" would certainly be far more sensible than letting others have the gum on tick and drawing the value of the greater part of it 'in stares at heavy loss to themselves through the heavy prices charged for them. I would strongly advise diggers before coming here to provide themselves with a little money say *8 or £lO, that would be ample if carefuily expended to render them independent of the local traders by enabling them, by a few clubbing together, to get their own goods from town and send their gum through for themselves.