Newspaper Article – Few seek money from hail-storm appeal fund

Few seek money from hail-storm appeal fund

By Geoff Mercer
Staff reporter, Hastings

Just 16 growers have appealed for money from the Hastings Hail Storm Appeal Fund.

The fund was established after the March 2 storm to help growers in financial difficulty.

Fund chairman and Hastings district councillor Norm Speers said pride probably stopped many in need from appealing for a hand-out.

“The trust committee was shocked that only 16 had applied when the trust knows there are 100 orchardists and cropping farmers really feeling the pinch,” Mr Speers said.

He blamed the disparity in figures on the self-sufficient attitude of farming people. They were not open to charity, he said.

Asked if money had been distributed only to the 16 applicants, Mr Speers declined to answer. He also preferred not to disclose how the committee established the number of growers in difficulty.

After the hail-storm, Social Welfare Minister Peter Gresham said 489 of the region’s 835 pipfruit orchards suffered damage. Of those, 375 lost their entire crop. Only 160 in the storm’s path were insured.

Almost half ($55,000) of the $114,430 fund has been paid out. East Coast Rural Support Trust, which provides financial advice to at- risk growers, received $20,117, of that sum.

Mr Speers said $59,000 remained in the charitable trust’s account.

The trust committee was cautiously and deliberately metering out the fund to ensure it lasted until income flowed again for those who lost their crops.

Of the remaining sum, $22,000 would go toward further funding of East Coast Rural Support, he said.

Advertisements regarding the next round of applications for funds would be placed in late November to help those in severe financial straits during the lead-up to Christmas.

The trust was scheduled to be wound up in April, when growers at risk should have begun receiving income from this season’s crop, Mr Speers said.

Photo caption – Mr Speers