FLOOD AFTERMATH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 98, 6 February 1936, Page 6

FLOOD AFTERMATH

REPAIRING THE DAMAGE.

STATE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT.

SUFFERERS BY THE STORM

(Per Press Association).

PALMERSTON N., February 5,

Since the storms and heavy rains which swept the North Island on Sunday and Monday, the Hon. R. Semple (Minister for Public Works) has received a shoal of telegrams pleading for national assistance to repair the damage and give access and other help to those unfortunate people who have been isolated. To-day the Minister announced that he had T < legraphed district engineers threugiicut the island to make an immediate inspection of their areas, and • stiniate approximately the expenditure that would he necessary to repair the damage. When that information was to hand he would call Cabinet together to, discuss the situation and see whit help could be granted. The funds of his department were practically exhausted for the current financial year, said the Ministei. it seemed that the Government would have to do something to help those who wore in financial distress from influences that had! been beyond their control. One matter would he considered as quickly as possible by the Cabinet. It was to be remembered that there were many farmers who could not get their milk and cream to the factories and a road out wou-d have to be given them as quickly as possible. Those unfortunate settlers could not be expected to bear the whole load. i

FRUIT CROWERS SEEK RELIEF.

T.OBS OF CROPS AND TREES.

AUCKLAND, February 5

Steps are being taken in the Auckland district to obtain relief from »’fe heavy losses suffered in the gale 'ast week-end. Thousands of trees have been destroyed, and many growers have lost a great proportion of thenpresent season’s crop. The plight of orcliardists was outlined in a message sent by the Oratia Fruit Growers’ Association to the Government! The message asked that some measure of relief be given to stay over the hardship that all were confronted with. It was estimated that tho district had suffered the loss of 50,000 cases of marketable fruit, as well as several thousand fruit trees.