100 Volunteers Help To Bury Drowned Sheep

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 12

100 Volunteers Help To Bury Drowned Sheep

After a day of helping to bury 1318 sheep drowned in the flash flood at Birdlings Flat on Sunday, the owner, Mr W. J. H. Coop was in bed early last evening with the telephone off the hook. More than 100 men from as far away as Christchurch, Akaroa. Lincoln, turned out in response to a broadcast appeal for help in disposing of the carcases.

With them they brought 30 trucks and about 12 tractors and trailers. Because the ground was still sodden some trucks could not get into the area.

It was a hard job finding some of the sheep. Forming chains, the men • waded through water waist deep, feeling .with their feet for

sheep trapped in weed. From 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. a procession of vehicles loaded with sodden carcases kep: a bulldozing team from the Waiwera County Council busy digging pits. The toll of 1318 dead sheep was higher than the 1200 estimated after the flood. Although the 300 sheep rescued by Mr Coop and neighbours were treated by a veterinarian, some may die. Supervising the disposal job was the Hydatids Control Officer of the Banks Peninsula area (Mr R. McCreanor). “I would like to thank all those who responded to the appeal.” Mr McCreanor said. “It has shown how much farmers are behind the hydatid eradication scheme."