DUST STORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 10

DUST STORM

GALE IN .ESK VALLEY FLOOD DEPOSIT SWEPT INTO THE AIR PLIGHT OF SETTLERS (Per United Press Association) HASTINGS, Jan. 10. Conditions in Esk Valley, seven miles north of Napier, to-day resembled the notorious “ dust bowl ” of the mid-west of the United States when a violent gale swept into the air vast clouds of the silt which was deposited in the disastrous April floods. Settlers were forced to retire indoors, sealing themselves within their houses with shut windows and the crevices around the doors were packed with sacks. Gusts of wind drove the fine, dry dust in choking clouds, darkening the sky. Visibility became so poor that one settler drafting sheep had to abandon thb work as he could not see the animals. All work in the valley was stopped. It is probable that the grass and shrubs planted since the flood will have suffered, but it is believed that the cost of the damage will not be great, though the work of restoring pastures has received a setback.

Conditions elsewhere in Hawke’s Bay wore most unpleasant to-day, the gale causing damage to fences, trees and aerial poles. All trawlers in the bay returned to port due to heavy seas.

Orchardists report that the shelter plantations protected the fruit crops adequately, but some losses are possible in stone fruits.