By...C. R. MENTIPLAY N.Z.P.A. Correspondent, Sydney

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 December 1950, Page 5

By...C. R. MENTIPLAY N.Z.P.A. Correspondent, Sydney

thousands of sheep and valuable dairy cattle have been drowned. Wheat crops have been reduced by one third and the quality of the surviving grain has suffered. Worst of a?l is the trail of hopeless and destitute families left by the floods at a time when prosperity is making its golden mark on more fortunate parts of the countryside. Little has been done so far on their behalf, despite efforts of the organisation known as the Commonwealth State Flood Relief Committee, which has been in existence since the first tragic flood swept the mainland in June, 1949. So far, working day and night it has disbursed £350,000 in 2700 relief grants to householders and primary producers—and it admits that it has only scratched the surface. Only the worst cases can be helped. Others have rehabilitated themselves time and again, only to see another flood remove the fruits of their labours. The Commonwealth and State have contributed £520,000 for repairs to roads and bridges, but the total of . £1,000,000 with the addition of £200,000 raised by private subscription is less than one fifth of Mr. McGirr’s estimate of three months ago—and the bill for Bourke and Brewarrina has yet to arrive.