IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15112, 30 October 1914, Page 3

IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

A correspondent writes:— The weather changed suddenly on Wednesday, when a cold southerly wind took tho "place of the usual northwester, and showers of ram or sleet 101 l frequently throughout the day. Snow again lies thickly over the hill country, where tbo lambing season is yet in progress and it is reported that some losses' have occurred among tho flocks. Otherwise the change was very welcome for the whole country is parched, and a forty-eight hour rainfall would no more than supply its need. How-

over, tho harvest prospects aro now far more .satisfactory than they were a fortnight ago, and of the crops in the Lismore district and along the course of tho Rangitata, their owners say ' "they were saved by that- wetting on .October Kith." Nearer tho hills, aiicrpar-t-cularly in the Kakahu district, most of the wheat fields aro showing a steady growth, and there is promise of excellent yields from the seaward lands between the Orari and Opihi. Near Orari bridge and Woodbury a number of tho oat crops have been rather severely 'treated by the hot winds, but under the present weather conditions that -mischief soon will bo repaired and. taken on the whole, the'harvest outlook at least is good. During tho year to come it is quits ptobable the jiotato crop will be especially valuable, and 1 have heard asuggestion that seems worthy of note. for immediate use. For instance, potatoes aro now cheap, and while mo-it people havo plenty of f-pare seed, in many cases there m not acreage available for its reception. Again many by-road sidings havo been ploughed to stop tho spread of gorso, and it is sugo-e'sted that tho spare seed potatoes should bo put in here. Tho land is ready, and it appears unlikely tha,, under the circumstances, any Koad Board would withhold iis permission. A keen frost early on Thursday mornin" has canned much tribulation among the gardener:;, for anything at ah susceptible to cold has been cut clean back On the other hand, ap-areutl.v, the orchards many not have been harmed as much as was feared by the recent ea le In many places it seems the blossom stripped from the trees by the wind must have -ot ready to iall an>wav. for, in spito of the damage Jie froit has set well. In sheltered 01----chards there is evidciico m lavour ol most abundant crops.

HANMER SPRINGS. •There was a decided change mi tne weather a t . Hanmer Springs on AN eunesday, when a cold .south-nest * d sprang up. accompanied by rain ana hail. During the night snow fell to a depth of several inches on the plain. Thero was a hard frost ycstertiay. .>dcg. being registered.

TtOLLESTONV . After a very trying week oi wines and dry weather, rain conunenceu to fall about midday on VTedneJ-lny and continued all the afternoon, when there was a slight fall of mjow. The rani will be of immense benefit to crops and pastures, as things were beginning to. loorf very serious, bo far crops are looking well, especially wheat. There was a sharp frost yesterday morning, and early potatoes and fruit-trees will suffer "considerable damage.

(CPECLAT. TO "TTT" ritESS.") GISBOR-N'E. October 29. There was a heavy fall of snow this morning at Parekanapa, on tbo hills betweon Gishcrno and YVairon, tho country being mantled in white as far as the eye could reach.