CARTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 7

CARTERTON

A GRASS FIRE. ("Times-Age” Special.) The fire siren sounded an alarm at 3.45 o’clock yesterday afternoon, a grass fire at Anderson’s Line, north of Carterton being the cause. The brigade was quickly on the. scene and as the outbreak was outside the borough area the Dennes pump was attached to the brigade motor, but was useless as there was no water available in the vicinity. The firemen assisted by willing workers soon set about extinguishing the fire in the grass which had already a firm hold. Fanned by a southwesterly breeze the fire was hard to control and had it. not been for vigorous work combined with the fact that there was ploughed ground in the paddock it may have spread to a very serious extent. The members of the brigade and willing workers are to be complimented for the speedy way the flames were got under control. A very large patch of dry grass country was burned out. The fire was on the property of the Nicolson Estate, leased by Mr Thomas Ray, who was in a paddock with a horse and cart when the fire occurred. At one time the horse and cart wen surrounded by the flames. The cause of the fire is a mystery, but it may have been caused by a spark' from a passing train. . MINIATURE RIFLES. SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENED., ‘ The 1939 season of the Carterton Miniature Rifle Club«was officially opened in the State Theatre last evening ' when there was a very large muster of members and a number of new competitors. Good marksmanship was shown and last night’s attendance augurs well for a very successful season. The range has been fitted up so as to make it second to none in the Wairarapa. Clocks for marking have been installed and new arrangements made for the successful running of the club’s affairs during the current season. ' Practice shooting will be indulged in for a few nights after which the various club competitions will commence in real earnest. It is pleasing to note

that several ladies were present last evening for the first time and judging by the way they shaped they should make good shooters.