HIGH FRUIT LOSSES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29728, 23 January 1962, Page 12

HIGH FRUIT LOSSES

Otago Gale Damage

(NZ. Press Association)

DUNEDIN, January 22. Orchardists at Roxburgh and Clyde are expected to face heavy losses from the damage caused to fruit treees and their crops by the gale force wind® on Sunday night Dozens o<i fruit-laden trees in some places were uprooted and large quantities of ripe fruit were blown to the ground. Apricots appeared to suffer most

Reports from both Roxburgh and Clyde indicated ’hat a good part of the crop of some o.cb'rdists had been destroyed The Japanese plum variety suffered greatly at Roxburgh and apple, pear and peach crops were also damaged. 'An accurate estimate of the damage will not oe likely for some days yet. The storm began about mid-afternoon, wringing with it squally showers. It swept several parts of Central Otago, particularly the fruitgrowing districts. Some orchardists were lucky They had a good part of their crop in a shipment of nearly 200 tons of fruit

which left Roxburgh railway station during the week-end A severe hailstorm at Alexandra in the afternoon missed the orchards almost entirely, but hit the town High winds during the night did a little damage to pear and apple crops.