RIVERLEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 May 1928, Page 3

RIVERLEA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) METEOROLOGICAL. April, during the first half, continued the dry weather which had been prevailing since New Year, for until the 16th only 0.40 of an inch had fallen on live days. Then, however, a change came over things, and 13 ofthe last 15 days of the month registered rain, culminating in a, violent storm and heavy rain on the last day of the month. For the most part the winds l recorded were very light until the 14th, when a moderate north-east gale, rising to a heavy gale on the following day, was recorded, followed by again a moderate gale on the 16th, when’ the wind veered to a south-west breeze. The remainder of the month saw strong to fresh breezes prevailing until the hurricane which rose late on t-hd night of the 30th. The wind blew from every point of the compass during the month, westerlies prevailing. Direction was jfrom west on 10 days; north-west on three days; south-west on two; north on five; south on three; south-east on two; east on one, and north-east on four. There were no calm days, and only one, the' sth, was cloudless. A very light frost was recorded on the sth, the first of the year, and the only one so far. Seven days during the month were fine; 15 were fail*; four were cloudy, and four completely overcast. The. thermometer at 9 a.m. ranged from a minimum of 51 degrees Fahrenheit on the 30th to a maximum of 71 degrees on the 27th, giving a mean of 62 degrees at 9 a.m., last year of 55.5 degrees, for April, and against a mean of 68 degrees for March. The actual minimum temperature recorded was 37 degrees at dawn on the sth, and the actual maximum 77 degrees on the 27th, giving an actual mean of 57 degrees, against an actual mean of 51.5 degrees in April last year and 62 degrees for March. The barometer ranged from 28.91 on 'the 30th to 29.75 on the 19fch, giving a range of .84 of an inch. Rain to a total of 4.93 inches fell during the month on 18 days, with a maximum precipitation of 1.62 inches on the 30th and a minimum of. a traceonly on the 7th. Last year 4.95 inches fell* on 21 days, with a. maximum of 0.91 of an inch on the 25th, and in 1926, which was also the driest April on record, only 2.38 inches fell on 11 days, with a- maximum of 0.54 of an inch on the 30th. The wettest April was in 1918, when 9.19 inches fell on 14 days, with a maximum precipitation of no less than 4.17 inches on the eighth of the month. The average for April is 5.095 inches, and l the total for the year to the end of April is 11.20 inches on 38 days, against 16.73 inches on 66 days last year and 19.15 inches on 50 days in 1926. PERSONAL. Mr. E. Eden, who has been first assistant at the local factory for the past two years, has been promoted to the position of manager of the Rowan factory. Mr. Eden is a most capable cheesemaker, and was popular amongst the local suppliers, who are very pleased to hear of his promotion, though sorry to lose him from Riverlea. Mr. S. Mills, it is understood, j succeeds Mr. Eden as first assistant. Mi*. W. H. Franks, who met with a nasty accident, causing fracture of several ribs through being thrown from a gig some time ago, lias now been able to ..leave' his bed’ and get about, but will still be under the doctor for some time to come. Mr. B. L. Webby, who came home from Wanganui Hospital some two or three weeks ago, has now entered Rawer a Hospital. Mr. Webby’s condition shows no imm-ovement. Miss M. L. Bremner. assistant teacher at the local school, is at present absent- on leave through bereavement by the death of her father. Miss Grant- is relieving Miss Bremner. GENERAL. The rougher weather experienced recently has caused a rapid drop in the milk supply. At any rate the season is getting on, and early calving cows are showing it, for they refuse to continue giving milk under any circumstances in the majority of cases. During the past year the two whey tanks at the factory have proved insufficient to contain the increased quantity of whey due to the greater amount of milk received, and it has been decided to erect another. EUCHRE PARTY. The first of the season’s euchre parties was held on Friday evening, when despite the somewhat inclement weathei and counter-attractions at Auroa anc Awatuna, there was a very satisfactory attendance. The ladies’ prize was won by Mrs. Smnle with eight games of ten, and the men’s prize was an nexed by Mr. W. Pope with nim games From now on the euchre par ties will he held every week, on Tuos day evenings, commencing at 8 o’clock At the end of the season substantia points prizes are to be given, whils good prizes are given weekly. MISCHIEVOUS BOYS. During a recent entertainment a which the school children were ii force, a local resident caught some o the boys at his car scratching it wit! nails. Had he not come on them a the time they might have caused con siderable damage to the body of th< car. Fortunately for them, they go out of the way quickly enough, or the; would have rued their action. The up shot of such conduct will he that chi 1 dren attending functions in the loca hall will not be allowed outside iron the time they arrive there until, ac eompanied by their parents or guardi ans, they go home.