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Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 28

As a result of the outlet from Lake Ellesmere closing through the action of the tides and waves at a time when the level of the lake was still 18 inches above the average closing height, an area of 15,000 acres,. otherwise available for spring feed, is covered with water (reports the Christchurch Times.) The farmers affected are heavy losers. The Halswell county clerk (Mr J. Mackenzie) states that the cutting has been completely closed by a bank' about three chains and a-half wide and six feet high. It is considered that any attempt to cut a channel would be fruitless, as there is not enough fall to scour it out and combat the action of the sea. Flood water is running into the lake, however, and it is hoped that the level may have risen sufficiently within a month to make the cutting of a channel successful.