DROUGHT IN NORTH OF WELLINGTON PROVINCE

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1948, Page 7

DROUGHT IN NORTH OF WELLINGTON PROVINCE

' WELLINGTON, April 16 “ “If you could see the paddocks on my flat you would tnink that tne grass would never grow on them again,” Mr D. T. Couper, chairman oi directors or rhe Rangiwahia-Ruanine Dairy company, stated m an interview to-day. He believed the decline in production had been even worse at haihape. Bheep-iarming had also suifered severely in the drought-affected areas. In the .Rangiwahia-Kuahme area tij drought was the worst in the experience of settlers who have been ui the area since the forest tirst gave way to farms. As far as most farmers were • concerned, it had more r. nan wiped out the increased price for butterfar granted at the beginning of the season. Next season wouid find cream supplies already reduced, due to the high prices of wool ana mutton falling to a low level. He did not agree regarding Reported dryness of the country near Huntervilie. He said: “Hunterville is a veritable oasis. I travelled through there a few days ago and my companion said he .was tempered co stop the car so that he could get out and eat some of the first green grass he had seen for months.” FORECASTING DROUGHTS No confirmation of a suggestion that the possibility of a prolonged dry spell this autumn had been foreseen by meteorological and agricultural authorities could be obtained when inquiries were made to-day. The director of Meteorological Services, Dr A. M. F. Barnett, said that seasqnal forecasts and prediction were not attempted in New Zealand because no well-developed methods suited. to conditions in the Dominion existed. Because of its great economic importance, attempts at seasonal forecasting were made in a few countries, including India, but so far the results of the experiments had not been promising, said another meteorological officer. The areas reported to be most affected by the dry spell are in Northern Wairarapa from Pahiatua to Dannevirk.e and out to the east coast, and in Manawatu area, including Fielding and Kairanga. Farmers have been carrying water for weeks in certain parts of northern Wairarapa, according to reports received by the Meteorological Office. WANGANUI, Aprh 16 Caught in a drought which in some districts is the worst since their original settlement, farmers over a wide belt of hill country running from the Turakina valley across Hunterville and Rewa to near Kimbolton face a serious position. About Hunterville fesidents of 50 years’ standing say they have never seen a drought to equal this year’s. At Mangaweka a farmer who has been 40 years in the district says the position has never been worse. The outlook is not as bad for sheep as for cattle. ARTIFICIAL RAIN IDEA APPEALS TO POWER BOARD WELLINGTON, April 16. A suggestion by the Hutt Valley Power Board that an attempt be made to create artificial rain in the Lake Waikaremoana and Lake Tauno catchment areas has been referred to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. This information was given by the .Minister in charge of the State Hydro-Electric Department (Mr R. Semple) ..in a letter received by the board yesterday. Mr S. Blackley, who made the suggestion at the last meeting of the board, referred to rain-making experiments carried out in the Soviet Union, when dust parti’cles charged with electricity were used. He said he believed the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was aware of what was being done elsewhere. He hoped they would not wait too long or Ise 100 late.