Rain Did Little To Relieve Drought

Press, Volume C, Issue 29682, 28 November 1961, Page 16

Rain Did Little To Relieve Drought

Rain which fell over Canterbury yesterday did litUe to relieve the drought. With falls varying from a few points to slightly less than half an inch it was only a “freshener.” No rain fell in the dry Seddon district in Marlborough; but Ashburton had its first rain for 46 days. The Weather Office at Ha re wood was not very hopeful last night about the rain continuing. It was expected there might be a little more overnight and early this morning, but little is expected today, although it may remain dull. The office said the rain came in initially from the south, with most falling from that quarter. Later it swung round to the east and eased. “It is a useful freshener, but not what we really want" said Mr H. E, Garrett, reader in farm management at Canterbury Agricultural College, last evening. “Nevertheless, it is nice to have something going into the soil instead of out of it.’’ He saief it would benefit barley crops peas and rape, but for the parched pastures two inches would probably be needed to start growth again. The day’s rain had not really altered the basic situation. * ' ered Falls recorded in Canterbury were: Tima.ru. 40 points up to 9 a m. yesterday with a little falling later; Lowcliffe. 41 points up to yesterday afternoon; Ashburton. 19 point, up to 9 a.m. and 11 points during the day; PendarvM 16 points up till 9 am another 14 points to 5 pm-

Christchurch airport. 25 point, to midday, only a trace during the afternoon: Darfield, 25 point, till 530 p.m.; Waipara. 14 points up to 10 a.m. and no rain during the afternoon; Culverden, about 25 points to 5.30 p.m.