WEATHER AND CROPS GOOD REPORTS FROM NORTH

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 78, 30 September 1915, Page 8

WEATHER AND CROPS GOOD REPORTS FROM NORTH

Drought continues in Canterbury and North Otago. and little hope of immediate relief 16 given in the weather report for to-day. Barometric pressure has increased in the South and the winds have changed to south-west. Gales are reported in Foveaux Strait, but elsewhere the winds are now only moderate to strong and squally in parte. Weather conditions show an improvement in most parts of the country, though snow has fallen on some of the higher levels in the South, and freshes are reported in some of the West Coast rivers. The barometer is regarded as unsteady,- and the rise as of a temporary character. It is probable that the southerly tendency will not therefore be maintained, but thai the winds will veet again from south-west to north and again increase in force. Cold and changeable weather is probable generally, with scattered showers, especially on the West Coast and in Southern districts. The disturbance which has now passed has apparently brought little relief to the Canterbnry and North Otago districts. The Age reports that rain is being anxiously awaited in the Ma-sterton district,' but so far the last day or two has yielded only tantalising t -gjprinkles. Stockowners are much concerned at the persistent drought. Further north the position is not 60 bad. Old residents of Eketaliuna state that the present season has been the best within their memory. The milk supply to the various factories in the Forty-Mile Bush is said to be in-, creasing very rapidly. Wanganui reports are pleasing. Everything in the garden is now looking lovely (states the Chronicle). Owing to the absence of frosts and cutting winds, combined with beautiful showers of rain, grass is growing abundantly, and enquiries from variou« factories show that the flow of milk is increasing at. a very I satisfactory rate. Should the shipping difficulties be overcome, therefore, the prospects of the dairy fanner are of*the rosiest. Country correspondents of the Dannevirke Evening News have good news to tell. The grass ie coming away well aftor laet season's drought, and although several settlers have had the misfortune to lose several cows each, the prospects are exceedingly good. Many of the settlers are busy stumping and clearing their land, and substantial increases in the areas under cultivation should eventuate this season. Feed is now plentiful, and stock are doing well. Heavy rain, which commenced on Saturday, has given the. ground a thorough .soaking, and will be of great benefit to gardens,' pastures, etc. ■ The Wairoa correspondent of "ihe Hawkes Bay Herald "writes £— A short time, ago we were complaining of dry weather and nor'-westerly winds. Now we are again receiving a sufficiency of rain, and in consequence" the growth of grass throughout the district is phenomenal.