CROP LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 10

CROP LOSSES

FIERCE HAILSTORM MANTLE WHITE TERRIFYING TIME SHOP GOODS DAMAGED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TIMARU, Wednesday Severe damage to crops of all descriptions was caused by a fierce hailstorm that swept over the area between Pleasant Point and Ceraldine at about three o'clock this afternoon. Described by settlers as terrifying in its intensity, the storm was accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning and terrific claps'*of thunder. When it ceased 15 minutes later heavy rain set in. It is estimated that the damage to crops will amount to thosuands of pounds. Totara Valley apparently suffered the most severe damage. The storm appeared from the southwest, being first felt at Tycho, where it was preceded by a warning roar. There, however, the full force was not felt. Pleasant Point experienced a more severe fall, and rape, mangolds, oats and wheat were badly set back, young crops and wheat in the ear being most affected. The storm there lasted about a quarter of an hour. Scene of Destruction It was in Totara Valley and at Opihi that the full effects were felt, and according to settlers the damage done was the most severe blow in years. Mr. H. M. Smith, Who lives three miles beyond Pleasant Point in Totara Valley, said that the whole of his potato crop was stripped to the roots, and that two acres of young oats and grass now bore the appearance of a recently-ploughed field. It was scarcely credible that the paddock had borne crops, he said. Hay and oats were left in a terrible condition and green peas were ruined. A whole paddock of wheat had been ruined on his property at Opihi, said Mr. G. A. Henderson. The damage done was very similar to that in Totara Valley, and potatoes, rape, peas and turnips were seriously affected all over the district.

Almost Like Night

Just before the storm broke the clouds were blue-black and it was almost as dark as night. The hail was followed by a terrific thunderstorm. Windows in houses were broken by hail and tho following rain flooded the down pipes. Damage caused in the district would amount to thousands of pounds, in tho opinion of many settlers. Hailstones the size of marbles fell in Geraldine and district, and considerable damage was done in the business area, all shops suffering. Loss of goods, which were spoiled by rain seeping through the roofs, was reported by many business firms, and business was dislocated for a time. Thunder and Lightning A particularly severe hailstorm was experienced in the Temuka district about 3.30 p.m., this being accompanied by vivid lightning and heavy peals of thunder. The hail was followed by a torrential downpour of rain. During tho height of the hailstorm the streets and roofs of houses were white with a thick layer of hail and presented a truly wintry aspect. The rain which followed washed the hail into spoutings and downpipes and penetrated sinany houses. The main damage was done to trees and plants, which in many cases were completely stripped of their leaves. Fruit trees also were damaged, those on which fruit was setting suffering particularly. Areas of standing crops were in many cases flattened by the downpour. t GLASSHOUSE SUFFERS

JAGGED PIECES OF ICE WHIRLWIND SNAPS POLES TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR [BY lELKGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday A heavy thunderstorm from the south-east broke over the Oxford district, 41 miles north-west of Christchurch, about 1 p.m. to-day. It was preceded by an exceptionally heavy hailstorm. The hailstones were described by residents as jacked pieces of ice, the largest being about the size of a coif ball.

In tho Warren district the storm was accompanied by a whirlwind, which caused considerable damage. Two telephone poles were snapped off close to the ground. Heavy branches of trees were broken off and hurled high in the air, and some crops were partly ruined by tho whirlwind, which seemed to be confined to a width of about 10 chains. At Carleton Mr. A. E. Cross was a heavy loser. Tho whole of one side of his glasshouse, containing 120 panes of glass, was destroyed by hail, and 15 panes in his house were shattered. Reinforced skylights on some of the outbuildings were also shattered by hail. His crops were extensively damaged, about two-thirds of one paddock of oats being ruined.

A second storm 'broke about 6 p.m. with torrential rain and hail. The rainfall recorded at Carlton was 1.l Bin. from 1 o'clock. Neither storm lasted any longer than half an hour. The ground;was white.with hailstones on each occasion.

CULLING OF DEER EMPLOYING MORE MEN The intensification of the Government's campaign for the destruction of deer in native forests has made it necessary for the employment of additional men in the work. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, said that in the South Island in particular, where deer were menacing wide stretches of virgin native bush, there was difficulty in obtaining more men of the right qualifications for the work. Men of experience in the New Zealand bush who were good riflo shots were needed. It was fine work in the open air for the right type of man with a sound constitution, although at times it was hazardous in the mountain ranges