PRACTICAL SYMPATHY WITH OTAGO FARMERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6807, 10 January 1929, Page 6

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY WITH OTAGO FARMERS

Officers Investigating OVER 100 SETTLERS AFFECTED BY STORM FOUR IN FIVE CROWN TENANTS. Per Press Association. O AMARU, Last Night. As the result of representations mado Mr E. B. Teuuant, of the Agricultural Department and a field officer of tho Lauds Department, Dunedin, will make investigation with a view to affording relief in some measure to those farmers who suffered through Monday’s hailstorm, 80 per cent, of whom aro Crown tenants. Mr. W. J. Poison, Dominion president of the Farmers Union, has telegraphed on behalf of northern farmers, regret at the disastrous loss sustained by their fellow producers. The local branch of the union is also interesting itself, with a view to affording relief measures.

"Reports are not in the least exaggerated and no one has yet any conception of the magnitude of the dam* age," was how one stock and station agent summed up the position this evening, after making a tour of tho affected area.

Some idea of the losses can be formed by tho fact that three adjoining settlers have suffered damage to tho extent of £3500 between them and more than 100 farmers were affected by tho visitation.