THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11556, 18 April 1898, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

During the. past two or three days the barometer has been gradually falling, and yesterday morning it looked as if the long-looked-for rain was coming at last. A cold wind blew from the south-west during the greater part of the day, with light drizzling showers. Our North Canterbury correspondent writes:—At an early hour yesterday morning a change in the weather took place in North Canterbury, and heavy rain fell, the showers coming from the south-west. At about ten o’clock the wind changed to the east, and throughout the day the weather was showery. Although even a little moisture is welcome, it will take two or three days’ rain to fill' requirements. The northern district is in a serious condition as regards pasturage, and young sheep are being disposed of for boilingdown purposes. Even on the low lands and through the drained swamp country, the grass, which at this time of the year should be abundant, is either dried up or eaten off bare. The turnip crops in some parts of the district, which were looking green and promising three weeks ago, have dried up, and in only a few cases is there even a fair crop to be seen. Altogether, the outlook for winter is the most serious for many years past. Our Peel Forest, correspondent writes: — The weather still keeps exceedingly dry. We have not had rain that could he called more ■ than a prolonged ehower since October, 1896. Creeks are getting dry where, they have never been dry before. Feed, even along the foot-hills, is so short and dry that I wonder the sheep are in such good order. Ploughing must be a tough job, and rough on the horses. Frosts are beginning.