BENEFICIAL RAIN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29763, 5 March 1962, Page 12

BENEFICIAL RAIN

Fall Welcomed By Farmers The heavy rain which set in early yesterday morning proved beneficial for North Canterbury farmers who have been waiting for rain to help with the autumn pasture growth and winter feed. Mr D. Deans, of Darfield. said yesterday that 96 points of rain had fallen since 6 a.m. yesterday. Farmers in the district were hoping for another heavy rainfall soon to allow water to penetrate into the sub-soil. There was a shortage of water for the races.

He said the country in the district had become greener after the last substantial rainfall a fortnight ago and there should not be any problem about winter feed. The fall at Rangiora was .84in up to 4 p.m. At Culverden 95 points of rain was recorded and other North Canterbury districts reported about the same rainfall.

At Ashburton 98 points of rain was recorded by 3 p.m According to Mr A. P. Bruce, of Pendarves, farmers in the area would have sufficient winter feed with the active growth after the rains two weeks before.

In Christchurch 96 points of rain was recorded up to 6 p.m. In some parts of the city there was minor flooding where leaves had blocked gutters but no damage was reported.