COVERED IN SILT

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1938, Page 4

COVERED IN SILT

Poverty Bay Farms BEING ABANDONED. [Per Press Association] GISBORNE, March 11. Farmers on the Poverty Bay fiats, whose properties were left under a thick coating of silt as the result' of the heavy flooding last month, are, it is understood, seriously considering abandoning their holdings, and seeking land or employment elsewhere. The men concerned are farmers on leasehold lands, who consequently have no particular stake in the properties. The areas were washed by the flood waters, and left covered with silt and driftwood, and now present a desolate scene.

Rather than face the labour and expense of clearing and re-grassing those areas which are not their own, they feel it would be more economical from 1 their own viewpoint to seek a home elsewhere.

A similar course is being considered by some who suffered on the East Coast. One farmer who recently took up occupation of a property of his own and who lost even his furniture in the floods, is reported to have walked off the farm, contending that he could never retrieve what he had lost by remaining there, and that it was cheaper to abandon the property and make a fresh start elsewhere.