CROPS DAMAGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 10

CROPS DAMAGED

HAWKE'S BAY FRUIT SERIOUS LOSSES FEARED PEACHES AND TOMATOES *1 ISOLATION OF CROWNTHORPE [by telkgjjaph —OWN correspondent] HASTINGS, Saturday . Widespread heavy rain again fell throughout the northern portion of Hawke's Bay last night, causing extensive flooding, but with the clearing of the weather this morning all danger of further serious floods disappeared. The fruitgrowing areas are the worst affected, for conditions are likely to be unfavourable for the harvesting of crops for a few days. Tomato growers, too, have lost heavily. Owing to the exceptionally heavy flooding in the Maraetotara Stream, Te Awanga, six miles south of Napier, suffered the worst flood known for the last 20 years. At least a dozen residences were flooded,' the water rising well above the floors. The Clifton Bridge, en route to Cape Kidnappers, is not passable. It is feared it has been undermined. The lagoon road is submerged to a depth of three feet.

Orchard work has been seriously handicapped and there is every likelihood that the late peach crop will be ruined. The costs of the apple harvest will be heavier than expected. Tomato and potato crops have been extensively damaged, so much so that it is considered very likely that the remainder of the season's harvest will have been completely spoiled, seriously upsetting the canning and pulping industries. So far as stock is concerned, the only fear is that a continuance of the present humid conditions will bring about an outbreak of maggot fly. Young sheep and lambs may find the pastures too sappy and develop scour. Many secondary highways, notably to Waimarama, Dartmoor and Crownthorpe, and country roads have been' blocked, including all three entrance! to Crownthorpe, completely isolating the township.