HORDES OF LOCUSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 12

HORDES OF LOCUSTS

PALESTINE 'INVASION CAMPAIGN AGAINST PEST "Insect or Man in the Struggle for Survival" was the subject of an interesting lecture given- last night by Lieutenant-Coloilel E. 11. Sawer in the University College Hall, under the auspices of the Auckland Institute. The account of the campaign waged against the grp.at horde of locusts which invaded Palestine in 1928, was a stirring one, enhanced by the personal experiences and observations of Colonel Sawer himself.

Illustrating his remarks with lantern slides, the speaker described the various weapons used against the locust. It was soon found, he said, that a barrier of polished tin was the only effective way in which to check the advance of the crawling or hopping locust. A strip of .tin, 15 inches nigh and 47 miles long, was erected along the front of the advancing hordes. Every 25 yards deep pits were dug. The locusts failing to climb the polished tin changed direction and followed the wall until they dropped f into the pits. At the height of the campaign each pit was averaging over five tons of locusts per hour. Sections of men were posted along the line and, working day and night, they covered in the full pits and dug fresh ones. ' *

In some parts of the country its rugged nature made the tin barrier impracticable and flame-throwers were utilised to good effect. A converted knapsack type of spray pump was found most satisfactory and large companies of Arabs under British officers performed fine service with'this weapon. . "Viewed from the Mount of Olives by niglit," said Colonel Sawer, "the hills were, surmounted by, a wall of fire. It was a magnificent sight. Each pump projected a 30ft. flame and, as the locusts invariably - rested on bushes and trees by night, not commencing travel until the sun was well above the horizon, this form of attack proved highly successful." . . •• V The extensive labour force necessary to wnge tlie campaign was described by Colonel Sawer. The. aid of the Bedouins or Arab nomads was finally obtained, and they did excellent work.