BENEFICIAL RAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 12

BENEFICIAL RAIN

FURTHEE FALLS LIKELY

RELIEF IN CANTERBURY

Yesterday's prediction of general rain has been practically fulfilled during and since last night. Widespread rain has fallen, many heavy falls occurring, especially in districts with a westerly aspect. ' For instance, AVcstport had 20b' points, Greyniouth 1815 points, Arthur's Pass 120 points, Bluff 50 points, Foxton SI points, and Wanganui 55 points. Except for a shower shortlyafter 9 o'clock in the morning, there was no rain at Palmcrston North, the remainder of the day being dull, cloudy, and hot, with a warm, drying breeze. There was a brief shower at Mastorton hist night. Light, but continuous rain fell throughout the Canterbury province yesterday, according to a Press Association message. In the evening the rain increased and fell steadily for some time. The rain will do much good to tho pastures, but has come too late to save many of the oat and wheat crops. Some of these in the drier districts are already being fed off, and in any case tho wheat crops will be light The rain will improve the prospects for the fat sheep and lambs for export. .The total rainfall at Christchureh up till 9 a.m. to-day was 21 points. The rain has been- a warm one, and will materially benefit the Dominion after the long dry spell. The present depression is an extensive one covering New Zealand and the greater portion of tho Tasmau Sea. Strong north lo west winds have prevailed, reaching gale force in places, but southerlies wero blowing this morning in tho far south, in the rear of a low centre situated oft' the East Coast of the South Island.

Auckland experienced a warm, dull day yesterday, and rain, foil there last night. At Wellington it was warm, dull, and threatening all day, a strong north-westerly wind blowing. Light rain fell during the night, the total being D points. Lower Hutt had 19 points. Dunediri had a dull day. The forecast is for strong north-west to west winds, increasing to gale force north of Farewell Spit and Kaikoura. .Elsewhere the winds will be variable, strong southerlies prevailing in the far south, and southerlies becoming fairly general after about 2-i hours. Tho weather is still likely to be cloudy, mi-j-ottled, and squally, with rain in many districts, and some further heavy falls. Temperatures are expected lo become 1-olde.r during to-morrow.