STATE ASSISTANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 100, 8 February 1936, Page 3

STATE ASSISTANCE

STORM DAMAGE IN ORCHARDS. LOSS OF 35 PER CENT. IN YIELD. (Per Press Association.) AVELLINGTON, February 7. It has been decided by the Government to grant assistance, through the Unemployment Board, to orchardists whose properties suffered extensive damage by Sunday’s violent storm over the greater part of the North Island. Official departmental reports show that destruction caused by the gale and rain in the Hawke’s Bay and Auckland district orchards was widespread and severe. .Some areas in Hawke’s Bay suffered much more than others, this being proved by the reports of departmental inspectors, who state that the damaged ranged from 2 per rent, in sheltered orchards to 00 per cent, in more exposed properties. It\ is estimated that the probable average loss of the prospective yield was about 35 per cent. The destruction in Hawke’s Bay was particularly bad at Pakowhai and round about Hastings and Havelock North. Reports from Auckland orchard districts show tiiat the storm damage was heavy at Henderson, Gratia, and Huapai. The Alinister for Agriculture (the Hon. AV. Lee Martin) announced today that the Cabinet had agreed to help the orchardists who had suffered from the storm. He had sent to Air H. AI. Christie, AI.P. lor AVaipawa, and Mr E. L. Cullen, AI.P. for Hawke’s Bav ; the following telegram: “Further to" my telegram of to-day regarding storm damage to orchards, I find that the Unemployment Board offers to subsidise labour at 12s a day to the extent of 50 per cent, of the cost. This applies to all farmers and orchardists. Local certifying officers are being advised accordingly. Having regard to the special conditions involved by the damage to orchard trees, the Depaitment of Agriculture is taking the matter up with the Unemployment Board.” It is stated officially that the Government’s decision to help stormstricken orchardists will have applications over all the district affected. F allowing the usual procedure in such cases, the Minister for Agriculture will consider individual cases lor relief on application.