SHEEP AND PRODUCE LOST

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 111, 11 May 1923, Page 4

SHEEP AND PRODUCE LOST

FARMERS SUFFER SEVERELY*

CHRISTCHURCH, 10th May. One hundred and forty stud Southdown ewes, valued at about £1000, and a Southdown ram valued at 30 guineas, have been lost in the flood by Mr. I. J. Stevenson, the well-known breeder, of Flaxton. The flood came go suddenly, that little could be done to remove -the sheep,.sbut by- strenuous efforts Mr. Stevenson saved about 500. Mr. Stevenson has been building up his flock of stud sheep for some years, and is a heavy loser. He has also lost a considerable quantity of clover seed and-wheat.

Though few definite estimates are available, it is likely that stock losses in the North Canterbury district will be heavy, for in many low-lying parts the water accumulated over night, and little could be done to save stock. Farmers are having an anxious time, for, ; n addition to stock losses which cannot be definitely ascertained yet, many of them will lose wheat and seed which has been threshed and left stacked in the paddocks. In the Rakaia district the flood has been responsible for the ruin of a great deal of wheat and potatoes in sacks which were out in the paddocks, and have become waterlogged.

Repairs on theN Southbridge railway line where the bridge was down, and on the north line as far as Sefton, have been carried on very expeditiously. Unless there are more floods, the services which have been restored will be maintained, though permanent repairs will

taKe some time.