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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2483, 9 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

At tho end of February last a most disastrous fire raged on the northwestern slope of Table Mountain, through the ravages of which thousands of young aud valuable trees were utterly destroyed. The fire very soon reached the outskirts of tho virgin forest on tho western Van Breda estate. Seven years ago this forest was destroyed by fire, but Mr Breda, who is a forester of great reputation aud wellknown energy and taste, replanted the whole of tho estate. Valuable Australian trees, a number of young sycamores, promising oaks, and many splendid examples of tho mountain nine, had sprung into existence, and the beautiful virgin forest that ornamented the rough slopes of this part of the great mountain was the admiration of every visitor to Capo Town. Mr Breda seldom, if ever, visited this portion of his estate without dropping a few seeds, and his experiment in t.he culture of trees was being watched with interest. Seven years' under-growth, too. had sprung into life, which had been the medium of supplying thousands of gallons of water dining tho year to the reservoirs of Cape Town,