GENERAL RAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22586, 15 March 1948, Page 6

GENERAL RAIN

DISTRICT FALLS HEAVY AT WAINGAKE NO DAMAGE REPORTED Heavy general rain, which in several areas in the district exceeded 3in. during the week-end relieved one of Gisborne's driest periods in the past 70 years. Although the rain was almost continuous from Friday evening until _ this morning the ground has absorbed the moisture and no flooding or damage has been reported. The rain was of the greatest benefit to farmers, whose pastures were becoming parched Winter feed for cattle and sheep should be assured Heavy rain was ir> the catchment area of the Gisborne Borough Council's Mangapoike dam, and the level of the water in the dam has risen slightly. The volume of water in the Waingake Stream has also increased consideralbly, although it is still not very high.

The borough engineer, Mr. G. M. Beaumont, stated this morning that given normal weather following the week-end rain there should be enough water from Waingake and Mangapoike to supply the borough. Only a very hot dry period of a week or 10 days could deplete ibis supply, in which case the Waipaoa River would have to be drawn from. Sin. in Two Days. Today all water for the borough was being drawn from the Waingake Stream. The two electric pumps installed to pump from the Waipaoa River were being left in position in case thev should be needed.

From Friday evening until early this morning the rainfall recorded at Waingake totalled 3in.. 2.02 in. of this fal ling yesterday. Heavy showers were still falling in this area this morning. Little water was lying on the ground, it having all been absorbed. No ramfall figures were available for the Mangapoike area this morning, but usually the rainfall there is nearly 50 per cent higher than at Waingake. At the meteorological station, Darton Field. 2.G4in of rain ffell during the week-end. 1.44 in. of this being recorded yesterday. The fall at the signal station, Kaiti Beach, was higher, 2.80 in. falling in the past 48 hours. Conditions were very foggy and heavy showers were still falling at Paritu station, near Wharcrata, this morning. Particularly heavy rain fell in this area yesterday, 3.27 in. being recorded for the 24 hours, while a further 1.24 in. was recorded on Saturday. The rain was heaviest last evening, .05 in. being noted between (1 and 6.30 p.m. Heavy showers were still falling in the town area this morning and tlie weather forecast was for occasional showers throughout the day. —?