DAMAGE TO CROPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

DAMAGE TO CROPS

COVERING OF SILT

SURVEY OF FLOODED AREAS (0.C.) GISBORNE, this clay. A survey of the flooded areas of Gisborne flats reveals extensive damage and heavy loss of crops, particularly in areas under cultivation for the production of vegetables for the forces. Light crops above the ground have been ruined and root vegetables likewise have been lost where they have been covered by deep deposits of silt.

One serious individual loss reported is that of a Waerenga-a-Hika cultivator, who had 28 acres of carrots, the biggest single crop of its kind ever raised in Gisborne. The flood water is fence deep on this property, and it is believed that little of the crop will be saved. One estimate of the value of this crop is from £4000 to £5000.

The flood toll of bean crdps is said to be particularly severe. Maize crops have suffered badly in areas where the flood water ran with any velocity, considerable areas being flattened by the action of driftwood carried by the flood.

Opinions differ as to the effects of the 24-hour soaking. In the case of standing maize, 'where no driftwood or strong currents affected the crops, some farmers consider the crop will be lost, but others are hopeful of saving at least a portion of the maize.

Mr. P. W. Smallfield, of the Department of Agriculture, is flying to Gisborne, and Mr. Grant, engineer to the Soil Conservation Council, is coming to Gisborne as soon as possible.

Mails which have been delayed owing to rail and road damage since the week-end were dispatched to Napier yesterday by sea. This dispatch was made possible by the cooperation of the New Zealand Air Force, which placed a launch at the disposal of the Post and Telegraph Department.