EXTRA EDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 52, 2 March 1908, Page 8

EXTRA EDITION.

THE BAIN. « WELLINGTON GETS A LITTLE.

DIMINUTION STAYED AT WAINUI. FIVE INCH RISE. Last night's rate raised the level of the water at Waiimi by five inches, but the water's surface is-stijl some 3£ feet below the overflow point. It is likely, however, that the rise will continue for a couple of days, and that a good deal of the recent alarming subsidence will be made up. In all, there were 54 Eoiiits of rainfall recorded at Wainui ist night — a little over half an mch — ] and there is hope that more will fall soon, since the drought spell is appar- I ently broken. But until further rain j does fall it would be well for citizens to continue to be sparing in their use of the water, for the risk of shortage will continue as long as the contents of the reservoir remain below the crest of the by-wash. Directly the level gets right up the trouble will be over. There was less rain at Karori than at Wainui, and the inflow made no increasu in the quantity of water behind the new dam. Before any more water will be stored there the old reservoir must be filled, and unfortunately it is not yet in that condition, though it is not so low as it has been on some previous occasions^ Last night's rainfall results were run into the lower reservoir. When sufficient rain falls to fill the lower reservoir, the valves will be closed down and the surplus waters will then collect behind the new wall. There is now everything in readiness to receive water here, and since storage for some sixty million gallons of water is afforded by thc> two Karori reservoirs, and thirty million gallons by the reservoir at Wai- | nui, there should be no recurrence of water famine in Wellington (after the first good fall of rain) until the time when its population will be numbered by hundreds of thousands instead of tens. GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS. After making vain and painful pretences during many weeks the clouds at last did yield some moisture in Wellington last night, but not nearly enough to satisfy the very thirsty ground and | the people who '"gin to be a weary of the sxin." After the northerly wind had howled among the houses with a velocity which averaged thirty-four miles an hour, it brought up rain which made music sweet upon the roofs at midnight. The Government gauge on Mount Cook says that the fall was only a trifle of 13 points less than a seventh of an inch, but residents of the Mount I Victoria slope are convinced that their district had a heavier , visitatipn which must have approached half an inch. Certainly the weather made a great fuss about its modest gift. It was like the cackle of a pullet over her first egg. However, it was the only shower of any magnitude since December. During the morning light showers have descended at intervals from blackish clouds The Meteorological Office announces that rain is probable in the South Island, and there are indications for general rain in the North. This afternoon ther« was a promise of more blessings in the heavens, but these promises have been so often broken that nobody feels inclined to take stock in rain till it is actually delivered. Rain on a steaming earth, a high thermometer, a comparatively low barometer, and an overcast sky give the city the feel of a greenhouse. Heavy clothing is indeed a burden to-day; man longs to be primitive. At 9 this morning there was not a clear blue sky in N&w Zealand. Rain was falling south and north, and there were signs of showers almost every where. Even if the drought has not been thoroughly broken it has had a shock. MASTERTON'S EXPERIENCE. [Br Telegbafh. — Special to The Post.] MASTER-TON, This Day. The position of local dairymen is certainly unique as they are now sending to Cailerton for milk to supply Masterton customers. It is not improbable that the Opaki flaxmill (Messrs. Roff and Thompson's) will have to close down unless the Waipipi Creek from which the mill draws its supply increases in volume. Stock are being disposed of at ruinous prices, sheep selling as low as 3s per head, but butchers' fat sheep are scarcer. A further rise in the price I of meat is anticipated. The Mayor of Masterton states that if fine weather continues another month, the latest improvements at the headworks of the water supply count for nought, as cutting a race into a river which does not flow will be of little serI vice to the borough. HEAVY RAINFALLS. [BT TELIGRArH.— PKKSS ABSOOIATIOW.] CARTERTON, This Day. The heavy rainfall last night has now ceased) but showers fall at intervals. The weather 13 oppressingly hot, but the atmosphere is free from smoke. GREYTOWN, This Day, Good rain has how set in here. WOODVILLE, This Day. Since 9 o'clock this morning (it is now 11.30) heavy rain has been falling. There is every indication of the drought being over. MASTERTON, This Day. The rivers Waingawa and Ruamahunga are now in high flood, indicating that rain is falling copiously in the ranges I EKETAHUNA, This Day. j The drought broke up last night, and rain is still falling in showers. Sufficient has fallen to prevent . further I danger from fires, and in the meantime to give the grass a start. ' , TIMARU, This Day. ! The long continued drought broke up here this morning, when heavy rain set in, and there is every prospect of it continuing for some time. The rain is too late to do much good to the pastures but will do groat good to turnip crops and enable farmers to get on ploughing operations. WESTPORT, This Day. Heavy rain fell all day yesterday and effectually disposed of the drought in this part of the Dominion. A wash- 1 out 'occurred on the railway line, but was repaired by this morning. NELSON AND BLENHEIM. NELSON, This Day. Light, but steady rain set in this morning, after a shower last night. If it continues tho drought may be regarded as broken up. With the exception of light rain at Christmas and two small showers, there has been no rain from tho week before the Now Year till now. Tho country is very parched, but if tho rain continues, winter food will be assured, though late sown root crops are hopeless. BLENHEIM, This Day. Tho February rainfaJl at lileaholm was 1£ points or 15-100ths of an inch. Tho corresponding month last year 2J inchoß fell. The February average in tho last cwelvo years was 2 1-20 inches. Encouraging showers foil this morning. IN THE MANAWATU. PALMERSTON NORTH, This Day. A brisk westerly breeze, unclouded

blue sky and dense volumes of smoke on the hills from revived fires gave little hope yesterday that collapse of the drought was at hand, but to-day the first useful rain, since October is falling and appears likely to last some time. It will be of inestimable value to the whole district not only in arresting tho bush fires but with regard to feed which the farmers- now estimate will be soon growing. [Br TELKGBArH.— Special to The Post] OTAKI, This Day. Rain set in last night, and continues steadily at time of telegraphing (ten o'clock). It promises to end the drought, and do an immense amount of good..

HOT IN NAPIER. [UT TELEGRAPH. — PBESA ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, This Day. Although rain fell on seven days in February the total for the month was only 0.42 inches. Yesterday was one of the hottest and most trying days experienced this summer. AUCKLAND, This Day. The rainfall in Auckland for February totalled 54 points, the whole of which, with the exception of six points, fell since 23rd February. The oriest February previously recorded was in 1890, when 0.07 fell. The rainfall in Auckland for the past two months was 0.99 points, the lowest recorcfed.