RAIN WANTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1924, Page 2

RAIN WANTED

CANTERBURY’S PLIGHT.

(Special to “Star”).

CHRISTCHURCH. Sept, 12. / The concern felt by farmers as to /the prolongation of the present dry I spell has been intensified this last day or two by the prevalence of warm .l j; strong hor-westers. ‘jjj To-day, though the rain did not seem M.very far 1 away, and there were actually T a few drops in the morning, a warm, , depressing wind blew into the night, ' and its effect, if it prevailed throughout the province, would seriously ag- ' gravate the parched condition of the ; soil. It is the distribution of the i 1 rain rather than the annual quantity, I t hat influences the question of growfh. JlLast year there was a six-inch deluge '/in May, yet what we term in New ■‘J 1 Zealand a “drought” practically developed at the end of the year, and reduced the crop yields to almost a record low point. This year the rain--fall is ten inches less than for the corresponding period (to the end of August) last year, and the distribuJ tion has so far been less favourable, j Since June 30 this year, to September (12, the fall recorded at '‘The Press” ' office was 3.32 inches, as against 6.14 inches for the corresponding period in 1923, which, moreover, followed on the May deluge. The fall this year, to date (15.90 inches) is abnormally low. The break in the weather which set in ‘last week-end, unfortunately came to little. It was patchy, and in those districts it favoured, it averaged 'no more than from 30 to 55 points. From most parts of the province, anxiety to a more of less extent is being expressed as to the outlook. Particularly is this the case in South Canterbury. Cereal growth in most districts is practically at a standstill, and the general feed position is indicated by the fact that notwithstanding their backwardness, sheep breeders have been compelled to turn their ewes on. A visitor to the country districts of South Canterbury told a reporter to-day that the season is the worst for years. Cows in many instances were existing on stack bottoms. The position was grave, whilst any green crops to be -seen were carrying sheep. Generally, stock are looking well. The mild season has compensated for the dearth of feed. However, the reserves of feed are about exhausted, and the prospect of heavy early drafts of fat lambs is none too bright. Although the rain keeps off with exasperating elusiveness, there are signs that it is “hanging around,” and may come to hand when the present gale has blown itself out. A Geraldine correspondent writes that there is still no break in the weather, and the time is very anxious to farmers, as, well as to townspeople. The seasons have been so erratic for srtnie years past that there is not the same confidence there used to be that conditions would come all right in due time. The light rain of a few days ago temporarily freshened the grain crops, but was of little benefit to the pastures....... ■