THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9646, 11 February 1892, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

Bain fell in heavy showers all over the northern district yesterday, completely neutralising the benefit received by the crops from the previous two days’ fine weather. The crops cannot now be otherwise than seriously damaged. The weather showed signs of clearing last night, and the barometer was rising. Our Sheffield correspondent writes Day after day since Thursday last have we been hoping for fine weather. There has been warm rain, alternating with bright sunshine. Yesterday (Feb. 9) there was a sharp thunderstorm and a sprinkling of hailstones. The damage already done must be considerable, both to grain standing and that in stock. Our Ashburton correspondent writes:— The weather still continues very unsettled in the Ashburton district. Several heavy showers fell yesterday, and up to the time of our despatch leaving there was no immediate prospect of its clearing up. Even the most sanguine have now given up hopes of seeing the crops in anything like decent order, and farmers generally are thoroughly out of heart. Our Timaru correspondent says Drizzling rain continued to fall until about noon yesterday, and as the weather was warm without much wind wheat in some places is showing signs of growth, both that which is in stock and that not yet cut. In the afternoon the weather became fine, with a pleasant breeze; and if this continues the damage to the crops in South Canterbury will not be so great as was expected a day or two since. Six and a half inches of rain have been registered by a resident at Pleasant Point. This is ttie greatest amount of rain that has fallen for some years in South Canterbury. Many creeks that have been empty for the last seven years are now running. [Pub Pbess Association.! OAMABTJ, Fbb. 10. Details of the damage caused by the foods are coming to hand. The first man through from Kurow reports terrible ravages in that district. Tons of grain are destroyed. The bridges atWharekuri, Awakino, Otiake, and Otekaike are down, as well as those at Kurow and Duntroon. The railway is badly damaged in several places on the Kurow line. Many farms are submerged. The Maerewhenua river is still rising. At dark last night several settlers had narrow escapes from drowning, being rescued from their houses by ropes. It is reported that a man is lost on the ranges above Kurow ; the police are enquiring. The man reported to have been drowned at Kakanui has turned up. The weather is now fine with a brisk breeze.