THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 152, 24 December 1897, Page 6

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

/ 1 The greater warmth of the north-west slow 1 of Mount Victoria as compared with the poMtion of the Observatory is shown by tlip i'aufc Unit yesterday the max tmum tomperatura recorded in the Stevensou screen m Mr. T. W. Howe's residence, Upper Hawker-street, was Srs."as against 7t>'B at the Observatory. Mr. Rowe's thermometer is one of ILicKVs best, provided with a Kew certificate, and its readings can be relied upon to the tent h of a degree. __ Holiday weather prevailed throughout the colony yesterday. This morning reports from the South say that yesterday's weather promises to be repeated to-day, with a slightly higher temperature. Bright weather is also reported from the North. Although the Hawkes Bay country is parched, and the rivers almost dry, it is surprising (says the Hastings Standard) the number, of spring? and small creeks one meets in travelling through the district. To a person used to travelling in Australia such an abundance of cool running water appears almost miraculous when compared with a country where the weary waj'farer has to carry his day's supply with him. The same journal Also says that from the observations of a passer-by the Waipawa and Waipukurau districts are suffering much more than Hastings district from the exceptionally hot and dry weather just now being experienced. The continued heat is having its effect on tho country surrounding Hastings. The hills are parched and slippery, whilst the crops are' in a ruinous condition, the oats especially being stunted ancj straggling. Towards the coast the crops are better, bilfc even here they are far from being what they might be under favourable 'conditions. Writing on the past fortnight's position, the "Wyndhum Farmer says :—" In the midst of summer we are in winter. This district had more genial weather last June than we are at present, experiencing in this month of December, 1897. Topsy-turveydom with a vengeance!" On the other hand, the farmers of Central Otago are rejoicing. The crops throughout the Taieri dit-trict (says the Advocate), and more particularly those on the plain, are at present looking in splendid condition, and hopes are entertained on all hands for a bountiful harvest. All that is wanted now is a continuance of the fine spell we have had of late, and the hopes of our farming friends should be amply rewarded.