STEADY RAIN IN PROVINCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22465, 28 July 1938, Page 5

STEADY RAIN IN PROVINCE

NO SERIOUS FLOODING - REPORTED FURTHER DELAY IN FARM WORK Steady rain, which fell in Christchurch on Tuesday night and yesterday, was fairly general throughout the province. Falling on the already saturated ground, the rain could not get away anti surface water is lying, in most districts. There are. however, no reports of serious flooding. This rain will cause a further delay in farm work. The preparation of ground for the sowing of wheat is hold up and. with the soil thoroughly salui*ited. it will bo some time before work can proceed, 'particularly on heavy land. Most of the sowing will be delayed until spring. Paddocks are very wet. and this is making it difficult to cart hay and roots. Dairy stock is affected by the bad state of the country. Lambing will not be general until September, and most of those farms on which a few early lambs are appearing are well provided with shelter to protect the newcomers trom the wintry weather. About two inches of snow fell at Arthur’s Pass on Tuesday night. This was followed by steady rain throughout yesterday, and by late evening practically all the snow in the township had thawed. It is expected that the rain, which is comparatively warm, will clear the roads of snow if it continues. Heavy rain since yesterday afternoon at Little River had no effect on the level of Lake Forsyth and the only flooding apparent is caused by surface water. Continuous light rain fell in the Mcthven district from 10 a.m. yesterday. The rainfall at Methven so far this year is 33 inches, the average annual fall being 37i inches. The level of the Waimakariri river was reported late last evening to be normal.