THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13546, 6 October 1909, Page 7

THE WEATHER.

11l the North Canterbury district on 'Monday night there was a steady rain for some time, and yesterday one or two showers fell. The growth of the crops ihas been much advanced by the

The rainfall at Kaiapoi for the twenty-four hours ending 9.30 a.m. yesterdiay was .03 inch. Our Oxford correspondent writes: — The weather at the close of September and the beginning of October was in every way favourable to the growth of the cropß, and to spring sowing and other necessary farm operations. On Sunday we had a howling nor'-wester, which has left its mark in cracked windows, broken trees, and levelled fences. On Monday, at midnight, it chopped round to the couth-west, bringing a warm rain, which is not at all unwelcome. The lambing is now almost general, and, so far, I have heard! nothing but good reports of ite progress. Ewes are in good condition, twins and triplets are common, everywhere, and the feed is good. As a result of the recent favourable weather, flockowners expect heavy fleeces. Dairy cattle are dn good condition, and the reports of milk yields are satisfactory all round.

Our Darfield correspondent "wrote yesterday afternoon :—"We are now experiencing the changeable weather of spring, and good spring weather it is. Nor'-wester, sou-wester, and easterly alternate with sunshine and shower; heat and cold follow each other in rapid succession. Feed is abundant, stock ere looking well, and the crops are healthy and strong. Early shearing of hoggets has commenced in the district, although the main shearing will not take place till after the Christchurch Show. Some little business is being dono in wheat and potatoes, several lots having changed' hands. The rainfall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to-day -was .07 inch. Rain is still falling at time of writing."

After threo or four days' nor'-west weather, heavy rain commenced to fall at Methven yesterday at 1.30 p.m. Although a good average rainfall has been experienced in Canterbury during September, still the present change will do a- great deal of good , and materially assist the growth of the crops and grass (writes our correspondent). The grass paddocks are looking green, but this feed has not attained any great length yet. Farmers on the Plains are well through with their lambing, and some excellent results havo been obtained, percentages reaching as high as 120 to 130. One or two farmers in the Methven district have already made a start shearing fat sheep; this cold rain will probably make these farmers regret that they did not wait until October was well advanced before startinc. Shearing in general, however, will be started- earlier this year than the last few seasons, owing to the prices ruling for wool.