STEADY RAIN.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20428, 24 December 1931, Page 8

STEADY RAIN.

HEAVY THUNDER STORMS. BENEFIT TO CROPS AND * PASTURES. Heavy rain, accompanied- in many places by thunder and lightning, and a little hail, fell'in South Canterbury and in Mid-Canterbury last evening. Starting in the south, the Btorm swept rapidly over the country, and reached Christchurch soon after 11 o'clock. Reports from North Canterbury late last night Stated that the rain had not then started there, hut the weather was threatening, and it seemed pro'bablo that rain would fall before the morning. While the rain has coiiie too late to save the early crops, which havo been ruined by the prolonged drought, rape, root crops, and pastures-will benefit considerably. Late crops, of which there is a greater* area than usual this year, will also benefit. The rain is particularly wclcomo in Mid-Canterbury and in South Canterbury, where the drought has been severe. The situation in Am' berley and districts in tho immediate vicinity Was somewhat relieved by a gbod shbwfer last Week. Vivid Lightning. Tho thunderstorm was particularly severe at the upper end of Lyttelton harbour, whero it was at-its height between 9.15 And 9.45. Tho lightning was exceptionally" brilliant and prolonged, tho larger Hashes lighting up tho Whole of the sea and the hills in the upper part of the harbour. The fall of hail in tho town was light, but was much heavier on tho far side of tho harbour. A resident of Governor's Bay said that it was as light as day during some of the flashes. At Leaston and Akaroa also the lightiiing was extraordinarily vivid, though in the latter place there was no thunder. Steady Bain. Sixteen points of rain had fallen at Timaru up to 9 o'clock, and after that there was heavy rain for an hour and a half, and at least a quarter of an inah had fallen by half-past ten. There was' a light shower at Motliven at lunch time yesterday, but the sun was shining in the afternoon. In the evening, however, the Weather again became threatening. Light rain began at 9 o'clock, aid by 10 O'clock it had *developed into a heavy downpour. At Eakaia a steady rain started at 9 o'clock, and by 11 o'clock over half an inch had fallen* At that time it Was Still Gaining heavily, and the fall appeared to bo general over Mid-Canterbury. Flooded Paddocks. Followed by heavy rain, one of the most severe thunderstorms that have been experienced in Ashburton for two years swept over the town last evening..There Were loud peals of thunder, preceded by frequent flashes of forked lightning. Tho rain was unusually heavyj and there was a little hail. The road to Hinds was quickly flooded rain lying inches' deep on tho Side oi the road, while large pools of water gathered in tho paddocks. Later in' the evening a steady fain set in. In the North. There was a fairly heavy shower at Hanmer at lunoh time yesterday, and a few showers [during the afternoon. In the evening it was threatening. Lnte last light the rain had not reached HaWarden, hut til© we&ther was threatening, and it seemed likely that Mill Would start to fall before long. A report from Eangiora earlv this morning stated that tho rain had started there. At 1 a.m. it was raining heavily iii the City.