SQUALLY WEATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 45, 23 February 1931, Page 11

SQUALLY WEATHER.

HEAVY RAIN IN PROVINCE.

CROPS BENEFIT GREATLY.

Squally weather Avas experienced in Auckland over the week-end. Sunshine and showers early yesterday gave place to north-easterly winds that increased to gale during the night. There was a torrential fall of rain about 5 a.m. Amateur gardeners report slight damage to tomato crops. Orchards were little affected. Parched pastures everywhere in the Whangarei district Avelcomed a heavy fall of rain last night. From Hikurangi northwards there had been no moisture for weeks past, and even the Mata and Ruakaka, flats were beginning to look dry and burnt. At Mr. L. Hanlon's official meteorological station the storm rainfall recorded from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. to-day Avas no less than 44 points, and the Vinery Lane gauge registered four points less. Many people were aAvakened by the heavy rain beating on roofs. A report from Morrinsville states that torrential rain fell betAveen 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., over tAvo inches being registered for the 24 hours. Farmers are delighted, as the pastures have received a thorough soaking and grass will come away again. The milk yield has been falling rapidly during the last feAV Aveeks owing to lack of rain, but production snould increase • again.