STOCK SUFFERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23111, 9 August 1938, Page 10

STOCK SUFFERS

POVERTY BAY AREA FIELDS A SEA OF MUD SPRING FEED SHORTAGE [by telegraph OWN correspondent] GISBORXE, Monday A hard white frost yesterday ushered in a welcome change in weather in Gisborne. For four weeks previously rain had fallen on every day except two, July's total rainfall of 12.64 in. being supplemented by an additional 2.31 in. in the first six days of August. A survey of the district gives some indication of the extent to which the countryside suffered by the exceptional rainfall following upon heavy soakings earlier in the year. Although cattle and sheep entered on the winter in excellent condition, the severity of the past month's weather has taken heavy toll. Sheep appear to have suffered most. Continuous rain has not allowed lleeces to dry, and the appearance of the flocks is further detracted from by mud, which covers most of their wool. Much water is still lying, and, even where it has been absorbed, many paddocks have been churned into a sea of mud. The most serious effect has been on lambing. On the flats, many dead sheep and lambs are lying in the paddocks. Cattle, too, have suffered severely from the conditions and the consequent lack of feed. There is expected to be a heavy shortage of spring feed, and already some farmers are without sufficient hay owing to the abnormal demand. Pumpkin crops have stood farmers in good stead, except where the soft ground made it impossible to cart them out, but, owing to the wet conditions earlier in tho season, many mangold crops wero a failure.

SETTLER'S PLIGHT FARM COMPLETELY ISOLATED [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] THAMES, Monday An example of the hardships settlers on the Coromnndel Peninsula are facing as a result of the winter's storms was p.; veil to the Corotnandel County Council at its meeting to-dav. Mr R. A. Stow, who is farming at the site of Mr. Zane Grey's camp, near Mercury Bay, told the council that in the heavy easterly gale in July his launch dragged its anchors and became a total wreck, the engine alone beyip; salvaged. The storms closed all road access to the property, as the track became quite impassable. He purchased an outboard motor for a rowing-boat and had been taking his cream to Whitianga by this means. Howevbr, last week's storm wrecked the boat, leaving him absolutely isolated. The county engineer is endeavouring to give access this week, but in the meantime Mr. Stow cannot obtain supplies nor get his cream out.