WELCOME RAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 11

WELCOME RAIN

DAIRY PRODUCE DROP

GENERAL BENEFIT LIKELY

The drought broke last night, after sixteen days of hot, dry weather. The rain promises to be general over both coasts of-the North Island, and will relieve a situation which, while not serious, was beginning to cause concern to farmers. In the lower Mana- \ atu dairy production had fallen oy nearly one-third in the last ten days, lambs were beginning -to lose condition in the Wairarapa, and the hilly country round Pahiatua was becoming very dry. Pastures will be saved <n many districts if the falls are heavy enough, but still more rain will o<3 needed to make the position safe. A couple of days of heavy rain would be welcome. WELLINGTON BENEFITS. It is anticipated by the Meteorological Office that the rains will continue, and that districts not yet eased will benefit. Fifty-five points, a little over half an inch, fell in Wellington up to 9 a.m. today. The rain commenced at 11.30 last night and became heavy between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., then eased oil a little, and it started to rain really heavily at 4.30 a.m. and continued untu 7.30 a.m., when it eased again a little. It is expected to continue raining on and off all day, but the rain will become more of a showery type tomorrow. FALL IN PROVINCES. Christchurch has had no rain yet. This morning there was heavy rain on the Marlborough and Nelson Provinces, and there was some rain in New Plymouth and the Manawatu this morning It has in fact been -showery, though not so heavy throughout, on most ot the west coast of the North Island, but the rain only commenced along the coast early this morning. There is a likelihood, however, of quite a good rainfall, all along this coast. The east coast has not had any ram up to midday, but Hawke's Bay is expected to benefit tomorrow, though not to the extent of the west coast. There has been no rain in the Wairarapa yet, but rain is expected there tomorrow. CITY'S MILK SUPPLY. The drought had not affected the Wellington city milk supply to any great extent. The supply from many farmers, who have had a good year, has so far proved sufficient. Larger sales are being made than at this time last year, however, the ice cream trade in the hot weather adding to the total, and it will be necessary to draw on the Manawatu supplies, in about a week. Last year it was not necessary to call on the; Manawatu until February. "It is literally raining £1 notes for the berry fruit growers," said the manager of one market gardening concerns today. Raspberries, he said, were badly in need of the rain, and the drought was affecting apricots. Most of the market gardeners had learnt not to rely on rainfall, and he knew of one grower with 16 wells who used 3000 gallons a day in irrigation. Such growers have not been affected by the dry spell.