DOWNPOUR IN CITY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 39, 16 February 1943, Page 4

DOWNPOUR IN CITY

BREAK IN DRY SPELL

SOAKING RAIN NEEDED

A sharp downpour during lunch hour to-dajr caused many Auckland gardeners to hope that the promise of clouds in the north-western sky would bring an end of the long dry spell. Many Aucklanders, however, who came to the city this morning without coats, were less pleased when caught by the sudden rain. A soaking fall is urgently needed in all parts of the province. The effects of the summer have been severely felt by city gardeners as well as by farmers, as the needs of economy in the use of hoses has prevented many from keeping their gardens in healthy condition. Gardens and lawns have been burnt by the hot sun and drying winds of recent weeks, and showers have brought little relief. With over half the month passed only 42 points were recorded in Auckland prior to noon to-day, and only 1.99 in. of rain had fallen since the beginning of January. After being at a high level the barometer began to fall yesterday morning, and showed a drop from 30.00 in. to 29.75 in. in 13 hours to-day.