SUN HIDDEN BY LOCUSTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 October 1924, Page 6

SUN HIDDEN BY LOCUSTS.

HORDES IN BUSHVELD. PILED THREE FEET DEEP AT NIGHT.By the time this information is published, the much, talked of locust expedition into the Kalahari Desert will be on its way, writes a Sunday Times special correspondent. It is to be regretted that a similar expedition was not taken in the Bushveld during the past'month, for I have just completed a tour through that part' of the country and seen the largest swarm of locusts it has ever been my lot to experience. About midday, whilst trekking,. the native drivers became very excited. They pointed to dense clouds in the distance, and told me the “Springhaans” were coming. One could hardly believe that the huge dense clouds coming through the valleys between the hills were locusts, but before many minutes had elapsed the grim reality of the menace was brought vividly before us. As the clouds came near one could distinctly hear the noise created by the myriads of wings, which sounded just overhead, while all was calm and quiet below. Within a few minutes the clouds were upon us. So dense were they that one had to be continually on guard to Tirevent being struck in the face by the flying hordes. At one period one could completely look up at the sun without shading one’s eyes, so dense were the masses above. Mile after mile, as we travelled, millions and millions of locusts were passing overhead, and they seemed very loath to settle. It was only in the late afternoon that the swarm seemed to be descending to the ground, and what a sight it presented! Early the following morning one could "fully realise the immensity of the. swarm, for among every bit of scrub and under every bush the locusts were piled at least two or three feet deep. It was here that I saw one native fill no fewer than five sacks with the insects, after which he turned to me and said: “Is not the Big Boss above very good to send us eo much for the next few months?” It was truly a godsend to these natives, for they relish eating the locust, which they prepare in the following manner: The locusts are first boiled and laid out to dry. After this they are kept until required, when the ■wings and legs are removed and they are roasted in a not with the addition of a little salt. They cook in their own fat, for in a few months they present a very greasy appearance, which disappears- until they are dry and. brown. They are eaten by one and. all of the native tribes. For six days without cessation we passed through farm ■ after farm over which these locusts were travelling, and their final destination appeared to be in a north-westerly direction towards the Springbok Flats. On the last day the majority appeared to be mating, and these, no doubt, would seen be depositing their eggs somewhere in the neighbourhood, to be hatched. On the return journey across these same farms most of the grass had :been eaten, and this will mean a great loss to those possessing stock in the district. From the sparseness of Europeans in this district, I do not think much information was forwarded to the locust officers, and I am sure that, had there been better facilities for destruction than the collection for food by the natives, the Government could have destroyed the majority of the swarms, as they were feeding for several days practically at the same spot.