WAIM ATE SEEKS DROUGHT RELIEF

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 16

WAIM ATE SEEKS DROUGHT RELIEF

The Waimate branch of Federated Farmers has decided to ask the Government that the Waimate county, with the exception of the Hakataramea valley, should be declared a drought relief area. The Hakataramea valley is already in the North Otago drought area. In collaboration with Federated Farmers, the farm advisory officer of the Department of Agriculture in the district, Mr J. L. Symons, has formed a drought relief coir rnittee. This committee wil meet tomorrow evening t decide what form of relie will be applied for. Mr Symons said last ever ing that the rainfall in th county at this stage of th year varied from 9in to 13ir In one district near Waimat the fall so far was lin les than in 1931, when the fal for the year was only 16.15 in which is still talked abou as rhe driest year experi enced. The benefits of the ligh falls that had been experi enced had been virtually nul lified by the dry south-west erly winds. These wind: brought rain to Christchurcl but dry weather to Waimate said Mr Symons. Negligible Growth It was considered that then had been negligible pastun growth since the earlj autumn, and the position hac been aggravated by som< porina damage. During the last two week: the feed position had deterior ated rapidly with hot day: and drying winds. Pastures on the drier down: country and foothills, where normally there was an abund ance rf feed at this time oi the year, were still green but were very bare and un productive. There were no indications of relief, even with rain, because of the openness of pas-

tures and also because many were nearly dead. Large numbers of stock, particularly hoggets, had been carted away to grazing in the Fairlie and Geraldine districts Falls of 50 points to 90 points of rain in the district at the week-end helped, but much more rain is needed.