TWENTY YEARS AGO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 February 1928, Page 5

TWENTY YEARS AGO.

POSITION SIMILAR TO TO-DAY. A LONGER- DROUGHT. In the early part of the year 1908, "ust twenty years ago, conditions were very similar to the present as regards the weather. Actually rain did not fall that year in Hawera- to break the drought until February 24, when a good fall of 25 points was recorded, and this was followed by more in- the succeeding days. But it is curious, too, to note that heavy rain was experienced several days earlier in parts of the district only a few miles away from town. The ‘‘Hawera Star” files of" that year record that oiie factory gave instructions to "store the butter output in the grading works for winter Use. Everywhere during the weeks preceding the break there were reports of lessening supply of milk, and cheese going up in price in view of short supply. At Masterton, it .was said, the factories were ‘‘mannfacing butter for local supply only, and the price went up to Is 5d per lb.” Certain districts, however, experienced The drought even longer, and did not get relief till the end of the month. There were at the same time heavy busy fires in Pahiatua district, and in consequence of the burning of the "eed “dairy cows were sold very cheaply. because the feed was gone.”