HOLIDAY TASK FOR TOWNSMENHOUSE-CLEANING IN FLOOD AREA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 4

HOLIDAY TASK FOR TOWNSMEN-HOUSE-CLEANING IN FLOOD AREA

SUSPENSION of official organisation in the sending of voluntary work-parties to country areas lias left a lot of ground to be covered by individual aid, and house-cleaning is still a major pre-occupation for flood sufferers.

The need for continued assistance with house-cleaning and other domestic work is emphasised by men and women women who have been in close touch with this problem during the past two weeks, and on whose, behalf the following statement is published:

are very wet, with mud still adhering. Skirting boards, when removed, often cause thick silty mud to ooze out across the floor. “Back yards are sticky patches of mud, emitting an unhealthy stench. “Tracks to and from doors to washhouses have to be cleared. “On place cleaned had the floodwater mark to within 2ft. of the ceiling. Many were shoulderheight. “Furniture is warping for want of attention. Polishing and oiling will save many pounds in waste. Heartbreaks For Housewives “Linen in drawers and cupboards has appeared looking like wet tripe, grey in colour’. 'Ail agree that one of the chief values in helping with parties is that the farmers gain a new incentive by feeling that they are no longer alone in the seemingly hopeless task. “Fowl houses, some with the water having reached the roof, drowning the occupants, require cleaning before being restocked. "those and ninny other jobs will take weeks’ more work. Then, of course, there are the endless tasks in the fields. “lor those reasons those who have been in the _ affected areas strongly urge the continuance of assistance, and commend the idea of a start this long week-end.’ 1

"Last Sunday evening at 5,30 o’clock the last house to be done was this side of Te Karaka. There are many more this side yet to be touched, and also a good number further afield. "Houses done last week-end had silted rooms and washhouses. These were tackled with a spade to scrape the floor, followed by a swilling, scrubbing with a yard broom, and then mopping over. This, it will be understood, applies particularly to places which had to be evacuated, or at least had some of the rooms shut off.

"The silt has stayed under the houses sometimes to the level of the floor.

"This means that the boards had no chance to dry out: and the silt will have to be removed before the houses can be re-oceupied. Health Fnoblem Arising

"In addition, it emphasises the health problem existing. Many cases necessitate the removal of boards which cover the lower part of the wall, under the floor.

"NaturallJ' liie men of the house are in the fields saving what is possible ol their crops and attending to stock and fences, Walls and the paper on them