DISASTROUS HAILSTORM

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 6

DISASTROUS HAILSTORM

GRAIN AND ROOT CROPS RUINED (Per Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). OAMAR.U, Jan. 7. A severe thunderstorm, accompanied by a furious downpour of hail and jagged pieces of fee the size of hen eggs leaving in its wake a trail of serious damage, passed over portions of North Otago, between 1 and 2 o’clock this afternoon, the districts suffering most, including Otepopo, Kauru, Incholme,' Maruakoa, Enfield. Windsor and Ngapara. Peculiarly enough, although a heavy shower accompanied with thunder and lightning fell, Oamaru town escaped the fury 'of the storm, and while the (Five Forks area was swept, the storm passed over Clifton Falls, where dust was blowing from the road. Many farmers are faced with a sevenl loss, crops ready for the binder being laid waste, the season’s cropping going for nought in a few minutes. Root crops suffered similarly. A settler at Incholm was about to take a hinder into his wheat crop, when the downpour came, and he is now wondering whether it is worth while as the heads of the wheat are almost completely stripped. The full force of the storm was received at Marnakoa, Five Forks, where two paddocks of wheat and one of oats, owned by Mr George Ludeman were completely destroyed. Similar disastrous results attended neighbours’ crops.. A paddock of mangolds were ripped up as if cut with a whiplash. Window panes were smashed, and damage of this nature extended to practically every house along the route. Enfield and Windson fared little better, and a gaping hole was torn in the corrugated iron roof of T. S. Little’s woolshed at Corriedale. Motorists had a severe time. Practically every ear out in the storm will require a new hood, the tops damaged in this respect running to a substantial amount. Two cars which arrived in town, had the appearance of the hoods being ripped with knives, while hoods of tourers were completely pierced, offering no protection to the occupants. Prospects for an excellent grain yield throughout the district has been bright, but the storm has ruined many crops on the very eve of the harvest. No estimate can possibly be made of the damage, but it must run into thousands sterling. A visitation of a similar nature descended on North Otago some years ago, with equally disastrous results.