Rain aids farmlands and storage lakes

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33461, 16 February 1974, Page 1

Rain aids farmlands and storage lakes

Parched Canterbury farmlands had their best rain of the year yesterday. Falls of lin or more were common—these being reported from Cheviot in the north to Maungati in South Canterbury.

Heavy overnight rain in South Island catchment areas on Thursday raised the levels of storage lakes between Zin and more than Ift. But the rain is generally clearing, and the Electricity Department is not hopeful of a further increase in reserves.

Christchurch yesterday had its heaviest fall of rain so far this year, 25mm. recorded between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The rain started in earnest in Christchurch about 7 ajn. yesterday, and caused some surface flooding in city streets — but no serious trouble was reported. The Christchurch Drainage Board’s deputy engineer (Mr H. P Hunt) said there had

been a few of the usual problems expected with a moderate rainfall after a dry spell, but there had been nothing serious, and the staff had coped. It was surprising the amount of paper and other rubbish there was to cause blockages in drains when there had been no rain for some time, Mr Hunt said. With the first shower, these blockages became apparent but were easily cleared. By 11 p.m. yesterday, the

rainfall since 6 a.m. was 26.5 mm., making the total for the month 32.5 mm. In January, the rainfall was 33mm., the greatest fall in one day being 10mm. on January 9. “Good start” Yesterday’s rain raised farmers’ hopes for a good autumn for growth, in contrast to the conditions last year when much-needed rain failed to eventuate. A Mid-Canterbury farmer said that the rain was “a good start.” Winter-feed crops would benefit from it, and it would allow farmers to proceed with sowing of new grass under favourable conditions. But more rain was needed to revive grass paddocks which were “as hard as a rock;”

The rain interrupted harvesting again. There have been many interruptions this season, but on previous occasions there has been only negligible rain. Yesterday's interruption was for a worthwhile fall. The possibility of grain sprouting in the heads of wheat crops still awaiting harvesting remains, after frequent light wettings accompanied by mild conditions — but to yesterday the Wheat Research Institute in Christchurch had still not received any sample showing sprouting.. A Weather Office spokesman said 1 last evening that there had been widespread rain over the South Island jn the previous 36 hours. On Thursday, the bulk of the rain had been in the west and south. Yesterday, it was in the north and the east.

Heavy falls Falls yesterdky in the east from about Ashburton north and back into the ranges were likely to be quite high, he said. In the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, Otira and Franz Josef topped 100 mm. (between 4in and sin). To 6 p.m. yesterday, 26mm (just over lin) had fallen at

Christchurch Airport. At Waipara, which a year ago was the scene of dust storms, more than 40mm. had been recorded by about 5 p.jn. North Otago’s high-coun-try lakes received a boost from the heavy rain, according to a Press Association message from Oamaru. Almost 150 mm. of rain has fallen in the Mount Cook region — but it will be some days before any benefit is seen in Lakes Pukaki, Tekapo, and Ohau. The uncontrolled Ahuriri River draining into Lake Benmore rose by abbut 3ft but was reported falling at mid-afternoon. Lake Benmore has been gaining in storage by about 6in a day over the last few days, and is now about 7ft below retention level. Forests damp The Forest Service in Canterbury was delighted with yesterday’s rain, which had dampened things down in all forests in the province, said the principal ranger (Mr T. E. C. Bridge). “It was very appropriate and opportune, although we have not had many nor’westers recently,” he said. In most forests, there had been up to lin of rain by early afternoon. “This will keep us happy for at least a week,” Mr Bridge said.