WAIMATE MANY SHEEP LOST

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21553, 16 January 1940, Page 3

WAIMATE MANY SHEEP LOST

Over 70 Die On One Farm Hundreds Perish At Omarama Effect Of Cold Change Many sheep recently shorn have died as the result of the cold weather, and investigations made yesterday disclosed that on one farm in the lower Redcliff district, as an instance, the mortality was between 70 and 80. The sheep were shorn on Thursday, and the cold change caught them on Saturday morning; death resulted from pleurisy and pneumonia. In the Omarama district, where a light fall of snow accompanied the cold change, the losses have not yet been properly estimated, but is stated that they will total many hundreds. Most of the shearing in the Waimate district was completed some weeks ago, and the Redcliff property where the losses were incurred, shore late. Yesterday afternoon, groups of dead crossbred and halfbred ewes were to be seen in the corners of a large grass paddock. Quite a large number had died around an old straw stack. The sheep were in excellent condition, but the cold change caught them at a bad time, and its effect was all the more noticeable because of the preceding warm weather. As weaning time was near, the lambs which survived without much difficulty, will not be affected to any extent. An inspection of the Waimate district yesterday afternoon, showed that there had been a phenomenal improvement in root crops; turnips and rape had lost the withered appearance brought on by the dry weather. The improvement was particularly noticeable among potato crops, which had taken on a fresh colour. Lodging is fairly serious among heavy wheat crops. Most of a large wheat crop in the lower Redcliff district, is flat, but as it has not yet turned colour, some of the lighter parts might make a satisfactory recovery. Crops on the hillside through The Valley, were badly flattened in the heavier patches. Lodg- | ing was also very evident in the Willowbridge district, where much wheat approaching the cutting stage has been put down to the ground. Oat crops which are behind most of the wheat, as the greater part is ! autumn-sown. should now head properly. Growth in most cases was not I far enough advanced to cause lodging, i Stands that have not been dried out I can be expected to thresh well. It is the Waimate wheat crop that is going to suffer as the result of the rain, because second growth will be very ■ likely in grain that has lodged after it is on the turn. A total of two inches of snow lay at Omarama for a short period and the top of the Lindis Pass was covered to a depth of two feet, causing a number of private cars to turn back. Owing to the warm state of the country, the snow did not lie on the ground very long. Nearly Three Inches ! A total of 2.84 inches of rain since I Saturday morning were recorded in Waimate by the official observer (Mr I J. Allan) when the fall stopped yesteri day morning. The fall was the heaviest for 12 months. There was a considerI able variation in the recordings throughout the country districts, and I even though the rain was general, the , largest quantity fell in the back i i country. Comparative figures up to 9 i a.m. yesterday were: In. I Takitu. Mr T. D. MacKenzie .. .. 3.80 Morven, Mr E. J. Meredith .... 3.76 Waimate, Mr J. Allan 2.81 Willowbridge. Mr W. T. Richmond 2.63 Waihao Downs. Mr J. W. H. Hodgen .. .. 2.62 Hook, Mr S. Medlicott 2.40 Willowbridge, Mr J. C. Faulkner 2.37 Hunter, Mr J. Armstrong .. .. 1.87 LODGE MEETING COURT FORESTERS’ PRIDE Bro. W. E. George, C.R., presided j over a well-attended meeting of Court I Foresters’ Pride Lodge recently. The sick report was presented by Bro. W. J. Welch, S.W. Bro. F. S. Murray, D.C.R., reported on his visit to the Court Star of Waihao with Bros. A. A. McKenzie. D.S.C.R., J. T. Mills, D.B. and W. J. Welch. S.W. Votes of thanks were passed to the secretary, for a very creditable year’s work, and to Bro. Murray. It was agreed to pay the usual Christmas bonus to sick brethren. Sick pay and accounts amounting to £25-TO - were passed for payment. A social and dance is being held to celebrate the Lodge’s sixtieth jubilee. PERSONAL i In the recent University examinaI tions, Mr T. N. Rive, passed in Knowj ledge of Music, Counterpoint I, and ; Harmony 1., for his B.Mus. degree. Mr I Rive who has been spending the holidays with his parents, left for Auckland on Saturday. At the close of Sunday evening’s service, members of St. Paul’s Methodist Choir met to make a presentation to Miss Betty Hutt, whose marriage to Mr H. Allnutt took place I yesterday. The Rev. Richards on behalf of the Choir, presented Miss Hutt with . a set of fruit dishes and wished ler I the best of luck in her married life. ’Mr Allnutt replied on behalf of Miss Hutt.

Messrs W. T. Richmond, A. Richmond and C. Bennett will leave to-day for a trip round the South Lakes.

Mr D. Menzies, New Plymouth, is visiting his father, Mr J. Menzies. Miss Rodgers, Grant’s Hill, Timaru. is staying with her sister, Mrs A. Garland.

Mr C. W. Clarkson, of Wellington, was a visitor to Waimate yesterday.

A surprise visit by several members of the Foresters’ Lodge was recently paid to Bro. H. Edwards, who is one of the oldest members of the Court. The guest was presented with a case jf pipes.

Mr and Mrs J. Bowron, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Nind, of Waikouaiti, are on a motoring trip to Nelson. They will visit the Marlborough Sounds and St. Omar. Mr and Mrs G. R. Watters, have returned from a holiday spent at Kakanui.

Mr and Mrs T. A. Wilson, who have been visiting New Brghton and Akaroa, have returned to Waimate. Mr and Mrs W. F. Boland, who spent New Year on the West Coast, have returned home.

Miss Mary Dillon. Wellington, who has been the guest of Mrs W. A. O’Connor, will leave to-day on a visit to Kauri Hills, Oamaru.