LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27877, 27 January 1956, Page 10

LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN

No Relief From Drought

FIRE DANGER STILL ACUTE Light showers throughout most of Canterbury yesterday gave slight temporary relief to the province’s most acute fire danger ■ in many years, but failed to break drought conditions on farms. No district in Canterbury yesterday recorded more than 40 points o£ rain. Farmers and fire officers throughout the province said that if a north-west wind returned the fire danger would be as acute as before the rain. Farmers said that the day’s showers had not benefited grass or crops. The rain lay on the surface and did not sink in at all. A Culverden farmer said that at least three or four inches of rain would have to fall to give any appreciable relief to the drought. The heaviest rain recorded in Canterbury yesterday was 37 points at'the* Harewood weather office. Akaroa had 32 points, Darfield about 30, Culverden 28, Springfield about 30, and Cheviot about 20 points. A light" shower fell at Ashburton about 3 p.m., but Kaikoura again had a rainless day. Rain that fell in Christchurch yesterday was quickly absorbed by the parched ground. The city streets were practically dry last evening except for one or two isolated puddles. A light drizzle began to fall at Christchurch about 8 a.m. Light showers developed soon after and continued throughout the morning. The rain became heavier at 11 a.m., and between that time and 3 p.m. 30 points of rain were recorded at Harewood. After that the rain eased and then stopped. Before yesterday omy 12 points of rain had been recorded at Harewood for the year. Yesterday’s rain cooled temperatures slightly. The maximum was 63 degrees at midday. A Culverden farmer said last night that paddocks were still parched. He said that yesterday's rain might have accentuated the fire danger by only wetting the top of long grass and hedges. “The grass is still bone dry underneath,” he said. “If the grass ‘sweats’ at all there is a very real danger of fire breaking out.” Soaking Rain Wanted

An Akaroa farmer said that at least three or four days of steady soaking rain was needed before there would be any marked benefit to crops and pastures. An Amberley farmer said that rain that fell there yesterday had not penetrated the surface. “The rain was just enough to damp the top,” he said. “It was not enough to moisten plantations but it did cool the atmosphere down a bit.” A Springfield farmer said that showers that fell there from 11 a.m. till about 4.30 p.m. gave temporary relief to the fire danger but the danger would be just as bad after two days' dry weather. "Crops were too dry for the light rain to have any benefit,” he said. A Kaikoura farmer said that “even a tiny drop” of rain would be very welcome there. “We have had another hot, dry, rainless day.” A Darfield farmer said the rain might have done a little good but much more rain was needed. Cheviot had a few showers early yesterday morning but farmers said that not enough fell to benefit crops. A Cheviot resident who mowed his lawn last night said that the grass was bone dry. Yesterday’s rain brought very slight relief to North Canterbury fruit growers. A Loburn fruitgrower said that water was urgently needed for large crops of early fruit which were nearly ripe to bring them to the required standard before picking. Only 95 points of rain had fallen in the district so far this month. The fruitgrower said that this rain had only freshened trees and arrested the drying up of crops. Several days of rain would be needed to swell the I ruit - , A Harewood Weather Office official said last night that little rain was expected today but moderate showers were expected at the week-end.

HEAVY RAIN ON WEST COAST

TWO AND A HALF INCHES IN THIRTEEN HOURS (From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, January 26.

With a fall of 2£ inches of rain in 13 hours to 6 p.m. today, the West Coast received its most liberal soaking for several months. Tank water supplys were completely renewed and the danger of bush fires in the forest areas was abated. The downpour was almost continuous right up to early this evening and further heavy rain is expected overnight. Fifty-four points of rain fell between 5 and 9 o’clock this morning in a series of showers, then rain set in steadily for the rest of the day. and brought the total fall up to 2.48 inches by 6 p.m. . . Rain was even heavier in higher regions early this afternoon. The Otira gorge road was closed as a result of slips and washouts in the upper section of the gorge. Rivers and streams were swollen well beyond their usual level for the first time in many months by early this evening. The Wellington-Nelson-Westport-Hokitika D.C.3 aircraft service today was able to fly only as far as Westport because of heavy rain and bad visibility further down the coast and passengers were carried south by alternative transport.

NO RAIN IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

(New Zealand Press Association) TIMARU. January 26. There was no relief from the drought for South Canterbury today. Clouds obscured the sun at intervals during the day, and the total of bright sunshine recorded was 5.4 hours. The maximum temperature of 75.8 degrees was much below the readings taken recently, which culminated with a new record of 97.5 degrees last Thursday. So far this month, Timaru has .48in of rain. December rainfall was .39in.

DROUGHT CONTINUES IN OTAGO

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, January 26. Otago is still suffering from a serious drought. Most country centres tonight again reported hot weather with little sign of rain. Sultry days have been the rule in Central Otago recently. The maximum temperature was 73 degrees in Dunedin today.