THOUSAND SHEEP DEAD

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22922, 19 January 1940, Page 8

THOUSAND SHEEP DEAD

Effects of Storm In Week-End RUNHOLDERS’ LOSSES IN MACKENZIE COUNTRY [From Our Own Reporter] TIMAHU. January 18. “One of the worst snows for this time of year in living memory,” was the way one runholder in the Omarama district described the unexpected fall of snow last week-end. The depth of snow varied in different parts of the back country, and although losses in sheep were fairly widespread, a reporter of “The Press.” in a tour of the districts in the upper Waitaki and Mackenzie Country ascertained that the losses were not so severe as stated in rumours circulating in South Canterbury. Most of the runholders have completed their shearing, but as the losses seemed to be chiefly among wet ewes, which are generally shorn later than dry sheep, lambs will consequently be affected. Had the rain, snow, and resulting drop in temperature lasted for only a' few hours, fewer deaths would have occurred. , Lasting as it did for 48 hours, from the early hours of Saturday morning until about the same time on Monday, it would not have been surprising if the losses had been heavier.

From inquiries it can be fairly definitely stated that many more than 1000 sheep were lost in districts. Where the shorn sheep were handy, a number of stations emptied their shearing sheds of woolly sheep and put the recently-shorn ones under cover, and made the most of plantations as shelter. Drop of 54 Degrees -,The manager of the Simon’s Pass Station, between Lake' Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, Mr J. Milligan, where losses might amount to nearly 500. stated that the temperature fell from 92 degrees in the shade on Friday to 38 on Saturday. Herding the sheep as soon as possible into the shearing shed, and a number into all the available shelter round the homestead, ineluding the garden and outhouses, he was unable to prevent severe losses. Nearly five inches of rain fell, and on Sunday there was from five to six inches of snow on the ground. He said that he knew of 250 dead in blocks round the homestead, and estimating his losses on all shorn sheep on the same basis, he thought that the total deaths might reach 500 or more. Although up to 14 inches of snow fell at homesteads nearer Tekapo, most farmers were fortunate in avoiding losses to any extent, although the full number will not be known until mustering in the autumn, as a number of runholders turn their shorn sheep straight out on big blocks. Two other stations that are known to have suffered are Mr J.-Kelland’s property, Glenbrook, and Mr Anderson's property, Bogroy, both in the Omarama district. At Bogroy, it was* stated that 300 wet ewes were lost that had been shorn immediately before, and on Glenbrook it is estimated that between 200 and 300 ewes died where the ground was open and flat, a number being found in or near some creek beds some miles from‘the homestead. Mr W., Sutherland, at Benmore Station, in the Omarama district, stated that he knew of 150 wet ewes dead on his property. It was reported that Mr J. W. Preston, at Glenlyon Station, at the head of Lake Ohau, had lost at least. 40 sheep, but it might be expected that a greater number have been lost, as the sheep are out on the back country. It is stated that there are 100 dead on Balmoral Station, mostly young sheep, and it is probable that a number of other stations in the district have had a similar death rate. It is apparent that the flatter country in the high districts suffered more than the steep country. A difficulty related to the losses Is now starting. Encouragement is given to blowflies and similar pests by the presence of carcases spread over the holdings. Destruction and burial over such large areas is of course very difficult. In spite of the dry weather during the last few months the sheep in almost all districts were in very good condition, the wool, from observations made in a number of sheds, appearing to be very bright and clean. Although it could not be said that there Was a shortage of feed, there may have been had not the weather brokbn. An immediate response to the moisture was very evident, and the chances of the sheen entering the winter in good condition are now greatly enhanced.