STOCK LOST IN BULLER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 12

STOCK LOST IN BULLER

Fanners Seek Relief (From Our Own Reporter) WESTPORT. November 11. No detailed information was available today on the losses of Karamea farmers affected by the recent floods, but conservative estimates put the value at several thousands. One farmer puts his total loss at nearly £lOOO. These figures do not include loss of production, which is likely to hit many farmers hard. It is estimated that the Karamea Dairy Company will show a drop in production of about 10 tons.

Several farmers are applying to the Earthquake and War Damage Commission for relief, and Mr W. E Rowling, member of Parliament for Buller, who visited the Karamea area on Sunday, has sent a telegram to the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) asking what assistance can be expected from the department. Local .farmers are not holding out much hope, however. Mr A. J. Simkin, vice-presi-dent of the Karamea branch of Federated Farmers, said today that after floods at Little Wanganui some tima ago the department’s help had been confined to paying freight charges on seed consigned to the area for resowing. One Karamea farmer, who lost 32 head of young stock, has reported finding 21 carcases. It is assumed the rest were washed out to sea.