DROUGHT BREAKS

Grey River Argus, 2 January 1935, Page 5

DROUGHT BREAKS

General Rains ON WEST COAST. After a drought extending ever a period of about a couple of nr I hs, during which the rainfall hdb as only 289 points, rain came hours of 1934 throughout C’oast. The welcome fall cotHB" 3d yesterday, and in Westland especially it was copious while it lasted. Although the showers which fell here yesterday affected the attendance at the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting, the rain had beneficial effects, and was welcomed by farmers, gold miners and residents. The rain on New Year’s Eve tended to cool the air considerably, but yesterday it was again warm when rain was falling. The rainfall, which was yesterday in the vicinity of 100 points in Greymouth, varied in quantity in different parts of the West Coast. There were typical deluges in most parts, but even so the ground is so dry that it could absorb a great deal more water and still be hard and firm. The quarter whence the change in the father came was the north, but down the coast yesterday the rain was coining from the north-east, instead of as usual, from the north-west. ELECTRICAL STORM. The Postal Department was put to considerable inconvenience last evening through an electrical disturbance in the Inangahua district. A heavy discharge of lightning in that locality yesterday afternoon broke three telegraph wires, and caused a certain amount of damage to fuses and lightning guards. Repairs were quickly effected. bitt there was another big thunderstorm at 10 o’clock last evening. when the heat became oppressive, and there were vivid flashes of lightning locally, after which heavy showers fell. The electrical disturbance in Reefton cut off communication with Reefton. Lightning affected a eonnle of Christchurch lines, and there waT a little delay in the transmission of messages. _ RAIN IN BULLER. WESTPORT. January 1. The drought of nine weeks broke last evening, and during the night there was a fairly heavy fall of rain. Wet weather continued this morning and delaved the Buller bowling tourney. and athletic sports were postponed in the afternoon. WAIRARAPA SHOWERS. (Per Pres* Association.) MASTERTON, January 1. After experiencing the driest month for 31 years—in December only eight points of rain were recorded—rain started to fall in Masterton and other parts of Wairarapa late this afternoon. Up to 10 o’clock only 13 points were recorded in Masterton. The weather appears* to be clearing again. Farm lands are parched and sadly in need of rain, while several rivers in the district have dwindled to streams which may be crossed by foot. Good soaking rain is badly wanted. CANTERBURY RAINS. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Januarv 1. Light rain fell fairly generally throughout Canterbury this morning. The fall recorded at Christchurch Magnetic Observatory was seventeen points. Rain is still urgently needed bv farmers i n North Canterbury.