THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10266, 8 February 1899, Page 6

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

In the North Canterbury district a fair amount of rain, fell on Monday night, but sus the weather is cool no anxiety appeared tv> be felt by the farmers for the crops, which are standing out in the fields. Last night in the city, heavy rain set in from the S.W. shortly after eight o'clock, with every prospect of continuance. The side channels were soon running pretty full, ami those who had come out without their umbrellas had to seek temporary shelter under tie verandahs. The rainfall last night, if general, should seriously affect harvest operations. Light rain showers fell at Ashburton again yesterday morning, and the sky remained* overcast with heavy clouds during the day. However, a drying wind sprang up, and our correspondent, writing yesterday evening, stated: —If the weather now o.ears very little, if any, damage will have been done to the grain crops. Very heavy rain set in in South Canterbury at 6 p.m. yesterday evening, which will further delay harvest work. Large areas are stooked,"and very little stacked, owing to frequent rains, and last night's fall was the heaviest of all. DUNEDIN, February 7. Rain commenced again this afternoon, and continued iv the evening. (PRES3 ASSOCIATION TKLEG&JJL) WELLINGTON, February 7. The rain, which began, on Sunday morning, cleared sonuwkit lost night, consequently the register allowed only O.itoin this morning ior the previous twentvsfour hours. However, shortly beiore 9 o clock this morning rain eaino down tgain in real earnest, and continued until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The fall between 9 o'clock and 4 p.m. registered 2.45 in. Fears were entertained that floods would be experienced, and tuat heavy slips mig'liit take place on the railway lines. The Hutt river is very low, and there is no sign ol flood, and the Government and Manawatu lines have t>een singularly free of interruption. The rainfall sinoe Suiwtiy morning has been 6.81 in, wliich is the heaviest lor some years over a. similar period, and will prove disastrous to the crops. The storm water nas caused a little damage in town, bat not to any great extent. 'ihe weather is now clearing up. The rain which set in at Carterton on Sunuay still continues. The low-lying land is llouued, and it is especially bad m the Daletield district. The crops have sutfered badiv.