NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 5

NELSON NEWS

DRY SPELL CONTINUES

DISQUIETING SITUATION

(From Our Own Correspondent) '~ NELSON, 7th December.

Over the week-end rain fell in the back country, but the Waimea plains and Motueka district are still very; parched. Their state is such as is sot expected, earlier than February. • : So serious is the long spell of dry hot weather thai, no matter how much rain falls now many farmers will'be short of winter feed : next year, and many, crops which have: matured when only, half grown will be; practically useless. In many cases tobacco growers have delayed the planting but, hoping for a change in the weather, but they cannot wait longer and unless a gdod downpour comes a serious position' will arise in this industry. The fruit crop at present promises to be a record one, but tbcf trees and fruit have' reached a stage when rain is required. : . Last month was the second driest November in Nelson for 48 years, onlj; .57 of an inch of rain falling. The driest was in 1917 when .24 was recorded. With the exception of these two occasions there has never been lest than an inch of rain in November since 1883.

In the senior championship 'cricket competition on Saturday Wakatu mad* 158 runs against Old Boys (R. Marshall 45, N. Biggs 19, A. M'llwraith 15, A* Shrimpton 21, and T. Searell 26. J Newman, who bowled 'throughout the .in* nings, gained seven wickets for 68 runs. Old Boys lost four wickets for 108 runs before the end of the day's play (S. Newman 39, E. E. Neale 85 not out, and R. Busch 18)* At College the students' team scored 213 against Old Boys Colts (G. Campbell 34, Buddie 61). Colts made 125 for five wickets (A. Nightingale 33, M. Bryant 48 not out). ' Bowling for Colts M'Bride, a promoted juuior, took five wickets for 33 runs. .