About 28,000 young pine trees in the Uriarrra plantation had been destroyed in a bushfire which had already burned for four days, The Canberra Times reported on this day 89 years ago.
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The fire had burned since the middle of the previous week, starting on the western bank of the Murrumbidgee River near Hall. The blaze had been brought under control, and the Federal Capital Administration's chief lands officer expected no further damage.
The officer, Mr J. C. Brackenburg, said that unless something unfortunate happened, the blaze should cause no further trouble. But the trees were an expensive loss - each valued at one pound.
A constant vigil was maintained to preserve pastures within the federal territory, after flames gained a hold in ti-tree scrub on the eastern bank of the river at the Kurrajong fishing hole.
About 40 men were engaged in fighting the blaze, after others were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, a campaign of civil disobedience in India seemed inevitable as the relationship between the Indian National Congress and the British-led government faltered. The congress had declared independence two years earlier.
"Naturally, there are no expectations that Gandhi will retract the resolutions, as he appears hopelessly committed to re-starting the campaign of secession from the Empire," the Times report said.
Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
