DEVASTATING STORM IN OAMARU DISTRICT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 6

DEVASTATING STORM IN OAMARU DISTRICT

OFFICERS ON THE SPOT. Per Press Association. OAMARU, Last Night. Mr. R. P. Tennant, of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. J. Mec, of the Grown Lands Department, Dunedin, accompanied by Mr. J. A. Macpherson, M.P., paid a flying visit to Enfield this afternoon to view tho damage caused by Monday’s hailstorm. Although the work of investigation was hampered by the inclemency of tho weather, both departmental officers were convinced, from a cursory examination of the crops laid waste, that the visitation had been'of an extremely intense nature and that the severity of the loss suffered warranted the fullest investigation on their part. Mr. Tennant frankly admitted that at first he thought the reports had been exaggerated, but now he found it was not so and that the position, so far as the farmers affected were concerned, was indeed serious. The work of investigation would entail a personal visit to each farm in the stricken area, which extends over a distance of 30 miles in length and eight to ten miles in width and in order to facilitate the work, arrangements are being made for two other departmental officers from Dunedin to assist. The position warranted a thorough examination of the damage suffered with a view to affortling relief where possible.

Mr. Mee was also astounded to note tho extent and severity of the storm losses.