THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

COLDER CONDITIONS. After a spell of warm dry weather a welcome change took place at Waipara on. Friday, when heavy rain commenoed to fall about mid-day, and continued on till after dark. It then showed signs of clearing, but hdavy showers fell throughout the night, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday 187 points had fallen. The rain will do a lot of good in helping to fill grain and stimulate early rape crops. All shearing operations will be brought to a standstill for a few days. The rlainfall for November .was 831 points, compared with 110 points for the same period last year. A cold snap was experienced in the Cust district on Friday and Saturday, with a good fall of enow on the hills. A considerable amount of rain fell, which was very much needed, owing to the nor-westers experienced during the month.

There has been a considerable amount of rain at Ralcaia lately, and it has been most welcome, except to those who are shearing. The crops, however, suffered so much from a very dry October that the subsequent rain has not remedied all the harm done.

The rainfall at "Itudstone," Methven, for November, was 5.24 in. Bain fel] on 14 days, the heaviest fall being 1.05 in on the 30th. Heavy rain fell practically continuously on Friday and Saturday, a total of 118 points being recorded. The weather was bitterly coldj and the hills got a fairly heavy coating of snow. _ Provided frosts keep away the rain will do an incalculable amount of good, as owing to the nor'west winds that have been ruling lately, tho ground was getting very dry and hard. Farmers are preparing the soil for tho turnip crop. Owing to the sharp advance in price of fat lambs lately, a fairly large acreage is being put in with rape. Cereal crops ar«i looking exceedingly well on every hand, and grass feed is abundant; in fact it is safe to say that during the last 20 years the district never looked better.