WIDESPREAD RAIN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 73, 19 December 1933, Page 8

WIDESPREAD RAIN

MoistuVe for Thirsty Land DETAILS OF THE FALL Fairly general rain, sufficient to give relief in most districts, broke New Zealand’s lengthy spell of hot, dry weather at the week-end. On Saturday night an intense westerly depression crossed the Dominion and a secondary one of cyclonic type developed in its rear off the west coast. The secondary depression was the cause of the widespread rain. Many heavy falls occurred on both the east and west coasts of the South Island. The highest reported by 9 a.m. yesterday was 895 points at Arthur’s Pass, and other heavy falls occurred at Greymouth (422 points), Okuru (200 points), Timaru (177 points), Christchurch (73 points), where it was still raining steadily yesterday afternoon, Nelson (60 points), Wanganui (49 points), .Foxton (52 points), Wellington (34 points), and Lower Hutt (55 points). Cape Campbell reported 20 points, a fairly heavy fall for that station.

The wind had become southerly in most places south of Cook Strait by yesterday morning, but westerlies and northerlies of decreased force continued in many districts north of the strait. Further rain fell last evening. The rain has sensibly relieved the situation as far as the city’s water supply is concerned. A fall of about one Inch was recorded at Orongorongo, and about half an inch at Wainui up till noon yesterday. This is not all that could have been desired, but it certainly freshened up the flow of the streams on which Wellington depends for its water. LOWER NORTH ISLAND Rain in Manawatu, Wanganui and Wairarapa ♦ After a prolonged spell of dry weather intermittent showers of rain fell in most parts of the Wairarapa on Sunday afternoon and again yesterday morning. Prospects of one or two days’ soaking rain, however, appear as dismal as ever again in the afternoon. Steady rain is urgently needed in the district as conditions have assumed a fairly serious aspect. Pastures in all parts of the district are badly parched and if rain of some consequence is not experienced within the next week or two there will be a shortage of water. As it la at present rivers and creeks have not been lower for a long time. Market and residential gardens alike are badly burnt and while the rain which fell was suflicient to refresh most plants a little, it was scarcely enough to prove of much benefit to pasture lands. Two or three days of steady soaking rain would prove a wonderful boon to farmers and gardeners throughout the district, as it would have the effect of freshening the whole countryside and assisting in bringing along a more affluent growth. There were refreshing showers throughout the Manawatu district on Sunday afternoon and during the night. The fall was only 59 points but its value to the pastures will be immense. ■ The temperature shortly after noon on Sunday was 80 degrees in the shade despite the fact that the sun was not shining. With the commencement of the rain at 3.30 p.m., however, the temperature commenced to fall and by night it had. dropped to 60 degrees. Yesterday morning the temperature was 63 degrees but it had risen a few degrees by noon. A dry spell which had lasted in the Wanganui district since December 2 was broken on Sunday night and early yesterday morning, approximately half an inch of rain falling up to 10 a.m. Very little rain has fallen since November 23, except for a slight drizzle on one occasion and the half Inch that fell on the night of December 1 and morning of December 2. LONG NEED FILLED Welcome Canterbury JRain IDEAL IN CHARACTER Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, December 18. Rain that will be of enormous value to crops and pastures in Canterbury set in over the whole province yesterday and continued with slight intermissions to-day. Rain is still falling to-night. The total fall in Christchurch has been approximately an inch, but in several districts the total has been considerably heavier. In Ashburton, for instance, the fall has exceeded two inches. The rain has been in all respects ideal in character. There has been an almost total absence of wind, the temperature has been mild and the fall has been so gentle and quiet that the run-off has been negligible, so that every drop has penetrated the thirsty ground. The showers that have fallen .at rare intervals previously in this dry spring and summer have been almost, but not quite, suflicient to arrest the deterioration of crops under the parching sun and hot nor’-west winds, but this rain will restore to the ground some of the reserve of moisture which it has lacked for the last two seasons. This part of the province would be improved by yet another inch of rain, but the prospect of that is still fair. At any rate this break in the weather is likely to be followed before very long by another. Farmers, even as things are, may enjoy Christmas with lighter hearts. The rain in North Canterbury will be too late for the oat crops except for some fields late sown, but it will be of great value to the bulk of the wheat, which is now well in ear. The rain has come at a time when It was badly needed, and now the grain may be expected to fill out normally. Now that the wheat is fully in ear, the damage from the frost of about three weeks ago is very apparent, and it is quite clear that the damage was more serious and more widespread than at first thought. The estimate now is that 2000 acres are affected. Some, however, are affected to the extent of only 10 per cent., and between this and total loss there are all degrees of damage. There are many thousands of acres untouched, and this rain will ensure a reasonable yield. The growth of pastures will be the most important good result from the rain. Grass and lamb feed crops have been badly checked or burned up In the dry spell and, unless there is unusually hot weather, this rain should cause growth to begin again luxuriantly.

She preparation at soil for root crops

will also be greatly facilitated and the rain will be of great benefit to those already sown. Some hay may be spoiled, but this will be a small disability in comparison with the greater benefits. The dairying districts of Canterbury were sadly in need of moisture, and in these areas the downpour will be greatly welcomed. The flood rains on the western side of the ranges have not extended to this side of the watershed and, although the rivers have risen, there have been no floods. As the result of the heaviest rainfall in the Bealey district for a year, road traffic was held up between Springfield and Bealey over the week-end. The Bruce and Cass Rivers, affected also by melting snows, became raging torrents, and caused the Waimakariri to flood in the upper reaches. TARANAKI WANTS MORE By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth. December 18. After a drought of 19 days beneficial rain fell throughout Taranaki last night, freshening the pastures and filling water tanks. Further falls are necessary, however, to prevent a continuation of the parched conditions. STEADY RAIN AT FEILDING By Telegraph.—Press Association. Foilding, December 18. . General rain began yesterday, and there was a steady fall last night. The rain is very welcome as the milk flow was beginning to drop seriously.