‘DESPERATE FOR RAIN’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 16

‘DESPERATE FOR RAIN’

Auckland Fanners (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 28. The prolonged period of little rain over much of the Auckland province has brought many farmers and market gardeners to a desperate position. Department of Agriculture spokesmen said today that if a significant amount of rain did not fall shortly there would be stock losses and a drastic fall in production. It is now more than a month since heavy rain fell, and less than half an inch has been recorded during October, only slightly more than the driest month on record—in 1870.

The field supervisor for the Department of Agriculture at Auckland (Mr J. E. Bell) said that he understood the lack of rain to have affected the whole North Island. “If there is no rain shortly we will have to face a shortage of feed a fall in production and possible stock losses.” he said. There had already been a tall in dairy production in some areas, and this would become worse if the dry period continued, he said. “The position is already very serious,” be said. “Feed is short and green, the grass is growing slowly, and the establishment of the spring crops just being sown is threatened. “If there is no rain Shortly the seeds wiU not be able to germinate.”