CHOPS LAID WASTE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 9, 11 January 1929, Page 8

CHOPS LAID WASTE

CURSORY SURVEY OF DAMAGE : (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OAMABU, 10th January. Mr. B. P. Tennant, of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. J. Mcc, of the Crown Lands Department, at Dunedin, accompanied by Mr. Macpherson, M.P., paid a flying visit to Enfold this afternoon to view the ilamago caused by Monday's hailstorm. Although the work of investigation, was hampered by the inclemency of the weather, both t departmental officers were conyineed' from their cursory examination of the crops laid waste that the. visitation had been of an extremely intense nature, and that the severity of the loss suffered warranted the fullest investigation on their part. Mr. Tennaut frankly admitted that at first he thought the reports had been exaggerated, but now found it was not so, and that the position so far as the farmers affected were concerned was indeed a serious one. The work of investigation would entail a personal visit to each farm in the stricken area, which extends over a distance of 30 miles in length and 8 to 10 miles in width. In order to facilitate the work of investigation arrangements are being made for two other departmental officers from Dunedin to assist. The position is quito as bad as had been represented, and warranted a thorough examinatiotyl of the damage suffered, with a view to affording relief where possible. |

Mr. Mcc was also astounded to note tho extent of the severity of the storm losses, and will co-operate with' other departmental officers. He, too, had at first imagined the Teports had been overstated, but examination now showed that there had been, no exaggeration. .