FARMERS' LOSSES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 6, 8 January 1934, Page 8

FARMERS' LOSSES

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT

(By Telegraph.) (Special tii trre "Evening Post.") ASHBURTON, January 6. Heavy losses running into thousands at pounds arc said to have been suffered by farmers in districts Mvept by Fridays-hailstorm. . '■ j This morning an inspection was made : nf several farms in Winchiucro and Lauriston by" Mr. J. Connolly, M.P., accompanied by Mr. A. P." Biuch, chairman of the Farmers' Union, Messrs. H. }\ Nicoll and. J. Carr, of1 tlio Wlieat Purchase Board, Mr. J. Smith, Government Stock Inspector, I Messrs. C. A.- Campion and M. ijaeale, of the electoral committee of the Wheat Board, Mr. R. W. Wightman, oi: Hie Crown Tenants' Association, and representatives of the Farmers' Union. After the inspection had bor.n marde, Mr. Connolly sent the following telegram to'the Prime Minister and. the Minister of Agriculture:— "I regret to inform you that a severe hailstorm yesterday afternoon lias done serious damage in Mid-Canterbury over an area approximately fifty miles long and three miles wide. A similar visitation was experienced at Leeston and Soutlibridgo over a small area. With others, I made an inspection of the most affected areas in Ashburton County this morning and found several wheat and oat crops totally destroyed and others partially damaged. In the case of Sotithbridge, the affected crops consist of wheat, barley, oats, and peas. In view of the damage done and the serious position of tho sufferers, I respectfully request that an immediate inspection and report should.be made by an officer of the Department of Agriculture A meeting of those'who have suffered by the hailstorm will, be held at Ashburton at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and I will be glad if a representative of the Department of Agriculture could be present. No doubt some aid will bo required to assist a number of the farmers who have lost everything in the way of cereal crops."