MORE SHOWERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 12

MORE SHOWERS

* RAIN FALLS OVER WHOLE PROVINCE HEAVY DOWNTOUR HOPED FOR If heavy rain were to fall in Canterbury now 'it would find the soil in the best possible state to receive it. Showers have fallen in practically all districts in the last two days. They have been intermittent, but they could not be described as light, and they have softened the surface of the soil so that it is now ready to let moisture penetrate to the subsoil.

The rain which fell yesterday was practically province-wide. It came from .the north-west at first, but later it came from the south-west, and this gave farmers grounds for hoping that a heavy downpour was not far away. Canterbury has had light rains from the south-west on other occasions this year, and they have come to nothing; but yesterday the clouds over some districts looked as though they held something more than a drizzle.

But even if the heavy rain does come now, it will be of only limited benefit. It will help pastures, of course—pastures in some districts are already looking fresher —but on many properties turnips and mangolds and rape are too poor to be saved. Now is about the time to sow Western Wolths and Algerian oats for winter feed, but unless the heavy rain comes it is feared they wi!l not do much good.

In the City Except in the mountain regions, yesterday's rain was heavier in few places than it was in the city. The total fall up to 4 p.m. was 21 points. The rain was therefore not very heavy, but the meagreness of the total was probably because the rain fell in a few scattered showers. It was hardly necessary to wear an overcoat in- the afternoon, but in the morning and about midday motor-cars were splashing water from the paved roadways. City people welcomed the rain no less than the farmers did. Hoses which have been running on languishing lawns for many days were turned off, and gardeners who were interviewed last evening thought they could stay turned off for a day or so yet. The men who work in the Botanic Gardens have used hoses a great deal in the last few weeks, and the curator, Mr J. A. McPherson, said last evening that the best that could be said for yesterday's rain was that it would supplement the work done. The lawns were all very green, and he and his staff had managed to hold everything. Mr M. J. Barnett, superintendent of city parks, reserves, and plantations, was glad to see the rain for the reason that every little shower v. ;..s helpful. His staff had put in a lot of work on the lawns, and had been especially concerned for trees that had been planted for only a year or two. An unusual part of yesterday':; weather was the high temperature. Canterbury does not often have rain and heat together, but there were many people who complained about the heat yesterday. The night in the citv was hot, the temperature being 70 at midnight. The temperature stayed between 70 and its maximum, 72.9, for most of the day.

Reports from the Country Springfield was one of the districts which had a heavier fall than the city had yesterday. The total was about 50 points. All the races in district were reported to be running level, and the plentiful.supply of water was expected to be beneficial. Akaroa and most other parts of Banks Peninsula had only a slight drizzle, described as barely enough to lay the dust. It lasted only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and late yesterday afternoon the sun was shining brightly. The pastures there are all very dry. Heavy showers fell at Rangiora throughout the day. The Ashley district, Cust, Fernside, Springbank, Loburn, Swannanoa, and Woodend all had good falls, but the rain was not so heavy at Ohoka and Waikuku. The orchardists at Loburn were pleased with the fall, but they have not had nearly enough rain yet.

Other North Canterbury centres— Hororata, Amberley, Greendale, Darfield, Little River, Sheffield, Lincoln, Leeston—all reported several showers up to 4 p.m. Long pastures in most of these districts had apparently benefited little from the scattered showers of the last week or so, but short pastures were beginning to show greener. Mid-Canterbury districts had quite good rain in the morning, but nothing more than a drizzle fell in the afternoon. Methven had 26 points up to 9 a.m., but very little after that. Temperatures were warm, although the wind changed to the south in the afternoon. It was stated by farmers in Pendarves and Winchmore that more rain seemed likely. Cheviot had some useful showers. but further north, towards Kaikoura, the rain was very heavy.

A temporary interruption in telephonic communications from Taranaki southward was caused last week by a power line falling across the telephone wires in the Wanganui district. The consequences were not serious, but were unpleasant enough for the operator who was working toll calls. He effected contact with Wanganui at the time when the wire had just fallen and received a shock sufficient to knock him from his chair and render him unconscious. A shock received by this means is known as an "acoustic shock," and was due to the fact that the power line did not receive sufficient earth when the break occurred. The operator was taken to his home, but he was able to resume his duties again yesterday.