STORMS IN ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 28

STORMS IN ENGLAND.

DAMAGE TO CHOPS. (By Gable.) Torrential rains continue in many districts in England and Wales, seriously damaging the corn and late hay crops. The potato blight is considerably damaging the potato crop. A hurricane, sometimes attaining a velocity of 100 miles an hour, swept over the south of England and Wales for 24 hours.

There were several wrecks in the Channel, where the worst August gales on record prevailed. Much damage was done to fruit and wheat crops. Thousands of acres of wheat have been cut. but harvesting has been impossible for 10 days. The shortage of labour makes it impossible for many farmers to repair the damage by hand labour, particularly in the hopfields. There are serious floods in Wales. The situation in Ireland owing to rains is also serious.

The Norwegian steamer Kongsli. of 9300 tons, and valued at £450.000. was sunk off the Spanish const. .She was bound to Europe from America. The Kongsli was previously torpedoed in the Channel, and Was repaired.

Official agricultural reports reveal serious idamage to the crops. The harvest promised to be a record one a few weeks ago, but the position is now entirely altered.