“DROUGHT” BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 99, 21 January 1935, Page 10

“DROUGHT” BROKEN

Heavy Rainfall in Wellington BENEFIT TO GARDENS Umbrellas, raincoats, and even ■ galoshes, were dragged from their resting-places by Wellington residents on Saturday after a spell of about two months. Working up to a climax from the gusty wind on Friday, heavy rain fell throughout Saturday, and a strong north-westerly wind blew until midnight, when it decreased in force. In one or two places the street drains became blocked with the rush of water, and slight flooding of some street corners occurred. Conditions in the streets were anything but pleasant, 'and on all sides pedestrians were to be seen scurrying for shelter from tlie driving ram, which was the first to fall since January 4. Figures supplied by the Kelburu Observatory. show that the total rainfall over Friday ami Saturday was 90 points, with 66 points on Saturday. The position at the waterworks at Orongoronga has been improved, but unless there is further rain the improvement will be only of a temporary nature. The rainfall at Orongorongo over Friday and Saturday amounted to 156 points, and at Walnut to 58 points. It is thought, however, that heavier falls occurred further back in the ranges. Most Sports Postponed. Followers of sport were dejected as practically all sports, with the exception of the Mothes Shield rowing regatta at Petone, were postponed. Other fixtures affected by tlie weather were the Dewar Shield sports meeting a.t Petoue, the Wilding Shield tennis match between Wellington and Canterbury at the Miramar grounds, and the swimming carnival at Te Aro Baths. The tennis match was postponed until to-day, and it is hoped to ’ hold tlie Dewar Shield meeting at Petone ou February 2 if the ground is available. Gardeners, on the other hand, were jubilant, and surveyed with keen satisfaction the effect of the rain on their gardens. Throughout Wellington, gardens and lawns appear considerably freshened, and plants generally have received a much-needed watering. Indications are that there is a possibility of further rain. The forecast is for changeable and squally weather with rain in western districts from Taranaki southward, and some scatter, ed showers elsewhere. Temperatures are expected to become cooler. Although Wellington received a soaking, districts further north were almost untouched. The fall was confined mainly to districts with a westerly aspect, ami places cast of the main ranges and the northern central portions of the North Island had only a few scattered and light showers. Conditions improved yesterday morning, although a rather intense depression still extended over the Tasman Sea and ■New Zealand. At 4 p.m. yesterday the barometer was as low as 29.23 in 1 Wellington, "and was also fairly low over most of the Dominion. Unsettled conditions and rain have prevailed from Friday about and south of Cook Strait, and heavy falls have occurred in the western portion and in the high country of the South Island. Westport reported 220 points. Greymouth 113 points, Arthur’s Pass 185 points, Nelson 36 points, and Farewell Spit 58 points. Some Districts Untouched. No rain fell at Otaki during Saturday, but there was a very slight shower during tlie night. There were few clouds and’ a light north-westerly wind. . “You would not know where the rain had been.” said a resident of Levin. '“There was a very light shower about 9 a.m. and a few spots during the night.” Promises of a heavy rainfall at Wanganui ou Saturday afternoon did not eventuate, and the weather for the week-end was fine, although scattered showers fell throughout the night. Much the same conditions' a.s prevailed at Wellington were experienced in the Hutt Valley, but at Masterton the'outlook was threatening with an overcast sky. Sunday dawned beautifully fine and warm in Wellington, and remained so throughout the day. There was a light north-westerly breeze, which did not greatly lower Ibe temperature. The roads and beaches were thronged with the usual .summer holiday traffic. ONLY EIGHT POINTS Little Rain in Manawatu Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, January 20. 'i’he hopes of Manawatu farmers and gardeners that, the protracted spell of dry weather was coining to an end yesterday were not fulfilled, as only eight points of rain were recorded in the 24 hours ended at nine o’clock this morning. There were heavy rain clouds in tlie sky yesterday, but they did not break. At frequent intervals throughout Hie day a light drizzle would commence, but after a few minutes it would disappear. Conditions were sultry and a shade temperature of SI degrees was indicated. Shortly' before ten o’clock last, night light showers commenced to fall and continued throughout the night at odd intervals. Tlie weather to-day is line with a westerly wind. The barometer has fallen to 29.5. There has been much speculation lately on the question whether rainbow trout are to be found anywhere in tne lower reaches of Hie South Canterbury rivers. Three years ago tlie curator of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society released at the "Horseshoe Bend” of the Seado.vn Lagoon some tish of this species. Since then nothing hail been seen of them or their progeny and the opinion was expresed that, they bad gone ottf to sea, never to return. Recently, however. Commander Steward, of Tiinaru, caught the first rainbow trout in this lagoon. The tish weighed 21b. soz.