The Forests Commission wrote, enclosing a proclamation, under which the lighting of fires in the open between 23rd November and 31st March was prohibited.

In reply to Cr Mills, Mr Shanahan (Secretary) explained that it applied throughout the State, to places with a population of not more than 1,000. The police and forestry officers were responsible for the law being complied with.

Cr Mills said that people were burning off at any time and they seemed to ‘get away with it’. None was prosecuted. ‘Fire will sweep the whole countryside one of these times,’ he said. ‘I really think that people who light fires about Christmas-time should be prosecuted,’ he added.

Cr Smallacombe remarked that it was mainly visitors who offended. He didn’t think many fires were lit intentionally.

[NSA, 23/12/38]